Golden Gate Fields hit by coronavirus outbreak

BERKELEY >> Golden Gate Fields, the Bay Area’s major horse racing track, is experiencing a “significant outbreak” as cases of COVID-19 rise at an alarming rate across California.

More than 200 people at the racetrack that is located along the shoreline of San Francisco Bay have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Berkeley public health officials and track operators said in a joint news release.

Aidan Butler, chief strategy officer of the track owner the Stronach Group told the California Horse Racing Board on Friday that 95% of the people who tested positive are asymptomatic.

“Unfortunately, that is the reason, I believe, this got out of control because no one was too sick for the most part,” he said at the CHRB’S regularly scheduled board meeting.

Butler also said operators are trying to make sure the outbreak does not extend beyond Golden Gate Fields. The Stronach Group also owns Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. The famed Los Angeles track is not scheduled to begin live racing until Dec. 26. But Del Mar Racetrack season is underway through Nov. 29.

“We feel pretty good that this will be held and isolated to not only to the racetrack but the surrounding area,” Butler said.

He added that officials have temporarily stopped the transport of horses and staff. Butler said the biggest concern is the fact the track share horses and staff.

Golden Gate Fields temporarily suspended live racing operations on Nov. 13 after reporting an outbreak of 24 cases on the backside where about 400 people work as grooms, hotwalkers and riders. Some of the permanent residents live in dormitories in close proximity.

At the time, track officials said the Berkeley-albany facility would remain open for daily exercise and training for the 1,200