Racing Dates

Around 150 live racing days are offered up at Golden Gate Fields at what is a year-round facility. Live racing takes a break in July but other than that, there are races every month with the track also open on selected days for simulcast racing from around the country.

About Golden Gate Fields

Golden Gate Fields has a loyal following in and around Berkeley and wider San Francisco having been on the go since 1941 when the first meeting was held.

GGF is proud of its facilities including the Turf Club Restaurant in which visitors get not only a great view of the racing action, but also of the San Francisco Bay. If you aren’t lucky enough to hold a ticket for the Turf Club facility however, live coverage can been seen on TVG!

The track is located eleven miles east of San Francisco and is within driving range of the Napa Valley, making it an ideal stop-off for tourists as well as local horseplayers.

Golden Gate Fields History

Before this track as we know it was founded, competitive horse racing took place in this part of California as far back as 1871 when the Oakland Trotting Track opened, only around 2 miles away from the current home of racing in the area.

There was a ban on horse racing in the state from 1911, something which was repealed in 1933 and then just before the War Golden Gate Fields built a new grandstand nearby with marshland filled in to create the track.

The first meet at the new facility was held on February 1, 1941 although the US Navy took over the area to use for storing landing craft destined for the Pacific. Racing later resumed after WWII was over.

Golden Gate Fields stayed under the same ownership for more than two decades until it was bought by Magna Entertainment Corp, though they filed for bankruptcy in 2009 allowing the racing-oriented Stronach Group to purchase the facility in summer 2011.

Golden Gate Fields Track Details

The main track is a one-mile synthetic Tapeta oval surface, formally made up of sandy loam with a 1000-feet run from the final turn to the wire. The turf course is bigger than most at 9/10 of a mile, sitting inside the dirt track and by the lake. Over 1,400 thoroughbreds can be stabled at Golden Gate Fields.

Biggest Races

San Francisco Mile (Grade 3) – 4yo & over, one mile on turf ($100,000, April)
Berkeley Handicap (Grade 3) – 3yo & over, 8½ furlongs ($100,000, Labor Day Weekend)
All American Stakes (Grade 3) – 3yo & over, one mile ($100,000, October)
El Camino Real Derby (Listed Race) – 3yo’s only over 9 furlongs ($100,000, February)

Wager At Golden Gate Fields With TVG!

Now you know all about the popular California track, don’t forget you can wager on races at GGF with TVG. Head to our schedules page to check out the latest race times then bet and watch live!

Address

1100 Eastshore Hwy, Berkeley, CA 94710, USA

Contact

irace@goldengatefields.com