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 The
Sonoma County Fair is an annual event held at the County Fairgrounds in Santa
Rosa, California. This yearly summer time extravaganza features horse racing,
concerts, the largest themed flower show in America, and a good deal of family
fun.
The Sonoma County Fairgrounds, however, is much more than a home to the annual
Fair. This 200-acre, multi-use complex offers one of the county's most extensive
and versatile convention/exhibition spaces. Within the complex are several
exhibition halls, equestrian arenas, and a 5-acre lawn.
The Jockey Club in the Fairgrounds is the only establishment in Sonoma County
that offers year-round wagering on horse racing. It has a one-mile horse
racing track that features thoroughbred, quarter horse and appaloosa racing.
It was established in 1993.
Several high-profile Stakes events are held within the two-week duration of
the Sonoma County Fair. These include:
- Earnest Finley Handicap
- Luther Burbank Handicap
- James F. Lyttle Memorial Handicap
- Joseph T. Grace Handicap
- Cavonnier Juvenile Stakes
- Elie Destruel Handicap
- Head Pin Handicap
- Sabre Chant Handicap
- Santa Rosa Marathon
- Apache Double Handicap
- Santa Rosa Arabian Handicap
- California Appaloosa Derby
- Wine Country Derby
- Santa Rosa Mule Championship
With a purse of $100,000, the Joseph T. Grace Handicap is the top stakes race
at the Fair. It is a distance race for thoroughbreds four years of age and
up and promises to attract the finest collection of horses assembled in Santa
Rosa.
A new turf track has been completed and adds to the many attractions of the
Fairgrounds. The turf track is seven furlongs, or 7/8 of a mile long. It is
60’ wide, and built upon a base of sand.
With racing commencing in 2005, the new turf track is expected to bring better
horses and a new prestige to a racing meet that already enjoys a great reputation
in the racing community.
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