The call of the horn, the thundering of the hooves, the roar of the crowd— there’s nothing like live horse racing at the Sonoma County Fair. Tickets go on sale Saturday, June 13 for this year’s Wine Country Racing. Premier Box and Grandstand seating will be available for purchase from 8:30 am till 4:30 pm at the Sonoma County Fair Box Office, located at 1350 Bennett Valley Road in Santa Rosa. Online ticket sales begin Monday, June 15 at SonomaCountyFair.com/fair/tickets.php.
Wine Country Racing at the Sonoma County Fair features the best jockeys, riding superior horses, running on the Fair’s beautiful dirt and turf tracks. Be there to see these accomplished jockeys and horses as they vie for over $350,000 in stake race purses, including Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze, who this year received a Western Fair’s Association Blue Ribbon Award for his outstanding contribution to the Sonoma County Fair.
Fans can watch and wager live Thursday, July 30th–August 2 and August 6-9. Race post time on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays is 1:15 pm and is 3:15 pm on Fridays. PLUS, this year race fans can enjoy a BONUS week of horse racing after the Sonoma County Fair. Racing will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 14, 15, and 16. Post time is 3:15 pm on Friday and 1:15 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Everyone is invited to enjoy the thrill of live horse racing on the track ground level, as entry is always free in this area with Fair Admission. Reserved seating prices start at $3 each in the grandstands and $5 in the box seat area. Race fans who prefer a more exclusive and luxurious time at the track will want to consider Trackside and Paddock View Dining.
These settings offer the opportunity to watch and wager while enjoying table service from Sliders Gastro Pub & Sports Bar. Trackside Dining tables for four are offered for $70 (Fair admission and racing programs not included). Paddock View Dining accommodates up to 26 fans. The price is $500 and includes Fair Admission and race programs. These ideal settings for a day at the races do not include the cost of food or beverage.
For those who like the idea of playing the ponies without risk, there’s the popular Win, Place, Show Contest. No bet required, just look for the table near the grandstands entry and choose the horse you think will win the 6th race. If your slip is pulled, you could claim $150, $100 or $50! Winners must be present to collect.
If you find yourself puzzled by picking the ponies and you don’t know a quinella from a trifecta, or you just want to increase your odds of winning, the Fair offers Free Racing Seminars with the pros. These feature an impressive list of celebrity guest speakers who will share their best racing tips. Get the inside track in Shade Park on Fridays at 1:30 pm and at 11:30 am on other race days.
This year's Wine Country Hat Day at the fair is Saturday, August 1st. Big hats fill the grandstands…and all for a worthy cause. Participants enjoy sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, Sonoma County’s finest wines, and betting on their favorite ponies. $50 includes fair admission, a seat to the races, live auction, hat competition, wine, hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar. Reserved tables for 8 are available for $500. Proceeds benefit the Sonoma County Fair Foundation.
Comments