California Lawmakers Pushing Bill To Give Racing Board Authority To Close Tracks

State Senator Bill Dodd is pushing a bill that would give the California Horse Racing Board the authority to order temporary race track closures in situations requring prompt action. The issue arose earlier this month when California U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein called on the board to halt all racing at the Santa Anita racetrack in the Los Angeles suburb of Arcadia, following the deaths of 23 horses. It turns out that the CHRB doesn’t have that power.