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San Mateo residents debate plan to demolish race track

Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005 | 9:39 a.m.

SAN MATEO, Calif. -- The Bay Meadows race track could be history if City Council members approve a plan by its owners to demolish the aging course and replace it with homes, offices and stores.

The Bay Meadows Land Company told council members Monday that horse racing is no longer sufficiently profitable, and a new development will bring much needed revenue to the city.

In addition to 1,250 homes, the company wants to build 1.25 million square feet of office space and 150,000 square feet of retail space. The plan also calls for 15 acres of open space.

Opponents argued the track is historic and should be preserved. Built in 1934, the site is home to the longest-running stakes event in California, the Bay Meadows Handicap, which was captured twice by the racehorse Seabiscuit ridden by noted jockey George Woolf.

City planning commissioners have already approved the project. A final decision will be made by the City Council in the coming weeks.

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