Golden Gate Fields set to close by the end of this year, owners say

ALBANY, Calif. (KGO) -- Golden Gate Fields race track in the East Bay is set to close, owners said in a press release on its website on Sunday.

The Stronach Group, which owns Golden Gate Fields, announced it will end racing at the iconic Bay Area horse race track at the end of its 2023 racing meet.

The company says it will then focus on seamlessly transitioning horses from Northern California to in Arcadia in Southern California.

The owner says it will "double down" on its racing at Santa Anita and training at San Luis Rey Downs in Southern California.

The plan is to expand the Santa Anita race track in Southern California and add another day of racing by January 2024, the statement said.

There is no word yet what would happen to the land that stretches along Berkeley and Albany.

"The Stronach Group remains steadfastly committed to racing in California," said Belinda Stronach, Chairwoman, Chief Executive Officer and President, The Stronach Group, in a press release.

Golden Gate Fields race track in the East Bay is set to close, owners said in a press release on its website on Sunday.

The Stronach Group, which owns Golden Gate Fields, announced it will end racing at the iconic Bay Area horse race track at the end of its 2023 racing meet.

The company says it will then focus on seamlessly transitioning horses from Northern California to in Arcadia in Southern California.

The owner says it will "double down" on its racing at Santa Anita and training at San Luis Rey Downs in Southern California.

The plan is to expand the Santa Anita race track in Southern California and add another day of racing by January 2024, the statement said.

There is no word yet what would happen to the land that stretches along Berkeley and Albany.

"The Stronach Group remains steadfastly committed to racing in California," said Belinda Stronach, Chairwoman, Chief Executive Officer and President, The Stronach Group, in a press release.

MORE: Bay Area animal activists call for Golden Gate Fields to shut down after horse deaths

"We recognize that the decision will have profound effects on our valued employees as well as the owners, trainers, jockeys and stable personnel at Golden Gate Fields. The Stronach Group is committed to honoring labor obligations and developing a meaningful transition plan," Stronach added.

The Stronach Group purchased the track in 2011.

Golden Gate Fields, which straddles the cities of Albany and Berkeley along the shore of the San Francisco Bay, opened in 1941.

With the start of World War II, the U.S. Navy took over the property for storage of landing craft that was to be used in the Pacific theater. After the war ended, racing returned to the site.

Among the horses that competed at Golden Gate Fields was 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation, John Henry, Shared Belief, and come-from-behind specialist Silky Sullivan, who is buried in the track's infield.

The track was immortalized in book and movie form. In Jack Kerouac's 1957 novel "On the Road," Sal Paradise visits the track with his friend, who loses all their money.

In the 1997 movie "Metro" starring Eddie Murphy, his character visits the track to gamble and blames jockey Russell Baze for losing his money.

Retired Hall of Famer Baze won his 10,000th career race at Golden Gate Fields in 2008. He earned 54 riding titles and won 5,765 races there during his career.

The closure will leave Northern California without a major racetrack. Bay Meadows, which opened in 1934, shut down and was turned over to developers in 2008.

The Associated Press contributed to this report