PLEASANTON, Calif. (KGO) — “That is what I used to be doing this morning. Get able to make the transfer on Friday. That is my workplace, my desk, my saddles…”
Horse coach Monty Meier is describing his objects that might be packed up and brought away within the subsequent 48 hours. He is educated horses on the Alameda County Fairgrounds for 16 years however with the stables closing Friday, that’s now coming to an finish. Meier says he is unhappy, drained, and upset.
“Now we have got people who find themselves cash hungry, that is the way in which we really feel, and we’re being stabbed within the again,” mentioned Meier.
Meier, different trainers, and horse racing teams we spoke with mentioned there was a last-ditch effort to maintain the stables open for one more month.
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“I gave the honest half one million {dollars} to maintain this place open final Friday, they’ve returned it due to what occurred with Southern California on Saturday,” mentioned George Schmitt who manages Burnell Park Racing LLC.
Schmitt tells us, that was when a license and insurance coverage requirement on the Pleasanton location was dropped, which meant that the stables would not be capable to keep open.
We reached out to the Thoroughbred Homeowners of California for clarification on that however as of late Wednesday, had not heard again from them.
One factor is evident, what would have been a month extension to remain open is not, and horses have to be taken elsewhere by finish of the evening Friday. The daughter of a horse coach and proprietor says her mother and father are heartbroken.
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“They’re distraught – they do not wish to depart,” mentioned Maricela Trujillo.
“Acquired a van firm lined as much as haul my horses out Friday morning. We’re leaving right here at 4 o’clock within the morning as a result of we’ll San Luis Rey Downs coaching heart and that is down by San Diego, and that is an all day drive,” says Meier.
“This honest isn’t just for horse racing, however the remainder of it can simply be destroyed – identical to what occurred in Vallejo and Stockton after they stopped racing 10-15 years in the past. Their festivals are actually one weekend,” mentioned Schmitt.
Most on the fairgrounds have already taken their horses to different areas, however there are nonetheless dozens left to be moved.
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