Northern California’s Inter-Track Betting Program Is Off and Running

The horses were off and running Thursday at Bay Meadows, linked by simulcast television to tracks in Sacramento and Santa Rosa, Calif., where fans could bet on the races.

Attendance, including the satellite tracks at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds and the Sacramento State Fairgrounds, totaled 8,544. On the same date last year, 8,179 attended Bay Meadows alone.

“I think it was terrific for the first day,” Bay Meadows general manager Bob Gunderson said. “It’s exciting to get it off the ground, but Golden Gate is the key.”

Golden Gate Fields in Albany, Calif., is expected to join the inter-track wagering network next Thursday, along with the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton.

“We’re hoping for a handle of $300,000 at GGF,” Gunderson said.

All money wagered at Santa Rosa and Sacramento went directly into Bay Meadows’ pools.

There was $89,301 bet at Sacramento and $67,888 at Santa Rosa for a total mutuel handle of $1,644,960. Last year, the figure at Bay Meadows was $1,560,018.

Each satellite track showed the races on large screens and regular TV monitors. Before each race, fans were able to see the horses brought to the paddock, the saddling, the jockeys mounting, and the post parade.