Itās getting close to āAnd down the stretch they come time,ā as horse racing will be taking over the Alameda County Fair grounds with the Golden State Racing Fall meet begins October 19.
The meet will run every Friday-Sunday to December 15, with the post time set for 12:45 p.m. each day of racing.
Opening day will feature an Octoberfest party, featuring five pours and a take-home glass beer stein. There will also be German themed food available for purchase. Tickets are available for $50 per person.
The $75,000 Bart Heller Stakes will also take place the first day of racing.
There are a multitude of exciting things happening with the race meet. Admission will be free every day with parking costing $15.
The popular Fan Cave, used during past Fall racing meets in Pleasanton, will return with multiple televisions, allowing for horse racing fans to catch college football on Saturday, and NFL games on Sunday!
On Sundayās there will also be $5 beer specials for regular pours of any beer on tap, as well as $5 hot dogs.
Besides the opening day Octoberfest, the Breeders Cup Saturday on November 2 will have an option for a Brunch in the Sky Lounge, as well as a Wine Fest in the grandstand.
The Wine Fest will run from 1-4 p.m. with unlimited pours, as well as a take-home glass. Tickets are $40, but if purchased online, are available for 10 percent off.
There are four other stake races set for the Fall meet. The Oakland Stakes (6 furlongs, Nov. 9), the Mount Diablo Stakes (1-1/16-mile, Nov. 16), the Golden Gate Debutante (1-1/16-mile, December 7), and the Bay Meadows Juvenile (1-1/16-mile, December 14) are on the books.
Group sales for the Sky Lounge or the Trackside Terrace are being booked with more information available by contacting [email protected].
The Pleasanton Golf Center, which includes the 9-hole course/driving range will remain open but will have reduced hours of operation.
When the Golden State Racing meet begins, the course will be closed Friday-Sunday. The hours for the course will be Monday dawn-dusk; Tuesday-Thursday 10:30-dusk.
The last day for golf before the meeting is Friday, October 18 when there is no schedule racing.
For more information relating to golf, go to www.pleasantongolfcenter.com.
For all things horse racing, visit www.goldenstateracing.com
By Dennis Miller