Golden Gate COVID-19 Shutdown Extended Through November

Golden Gate Fields announced Nov. 18 that racing would remain suspended at the Northern California track through November. The news comes after the track initially suspended racing for one week to address a COVID-19 outbreak.

Officials from The Stronach Group, which operates Golden Gate, said in a release that the decision was made with regard for the safety and well-being of employees, those working on the backstretch, and the community at large. 

Since the track's announcement of the one-week suspension of racing Nov. 13, track facilities have undergone cleaning and track-wide COVID-19 testing has been administered to all employees and to all those who work on the backstretch. All testing data have been shared with the Berkeley Public Health Division.

All positive cases are overseen by the BPHD through their case managers. Positive cases are required to isolate as per BPHD protocols and are not able to return to Golden Gate Fields until health clearance has been provided by the BPHD.

In the absence of racing, the 1,300 horses stabled on the grounds will continue to receive daily care and needed exercise, TSG said.

In an email update to its membership Wednesday night, Thoroughbred Owners of California wrote that there have been a substantial number of COVID-19 positives confirmed this week on the track's backside, though Golden Gate management believes many individuals testing positive are asymptomatic. These confirmed cases are a result of mandatory testing of all backstretch workers that was required by local public health officials. 

Individuals that tested positive are being quarantined off-site in hotels, according to TSG. The TOC said they are working with Golden Gate to ensure that there will be sufficient personnel on the backstretch to care for the horses stabled there, and encouraged owners with horses stabled there to talk to their trainers.

Golden Gate Fields will continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with the BPHD and will look forward to resuming live racing with the announcement of a reopening date as soon as possible. Since the pandemic began, the track has implemented protocols calling for social distancing, the wearing of masks, and regular COVID-19 testing with isolation requirements for any positive cases or identified close contacts.