2014 California Code
Business and Professions Code - BPC
DIVISION 8 - SPECIAL BUSINESS REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 4 - Horse Racing
ARTICLE 6 - Racing Days Generally
19531

(a) The board shall make allocations of racing weeks, including simultaneous racing between zones, as it deems appropriate. The maximum number of racing weeks that may be allocated for horse racing other than at fairs, shall be as follows:

(1) For thoroughbred racing: 44 weeks per year in the northern zone; and 49 weeks per year in the combined central and southern zones.

(2) For harness racing: 25 weeks per year in the northern zone.

(3) For quarter horse racing: 25 weeks per year in the northern zone.

(4) For harness racing and quarter horse racing: a total of 77 weeks per year in the combined central and southern zones.

(b) In its written application for a license, an applicant shall state the time of day, consistent with this chapter, during which it will conduct its racing meeting, and particularly the first race starting time for the various racing days. After receiving a license, a licensee shall not change the first race starting time without securing prior approval of the board.

(c) Notwithstanding this section or any other provision in this chapter, the following provisions apply:

(1) From the weeks available in the combined central and southern zones pursuant to subdivision (a), the board shall allocate a minimum of seven weeks per year to a thoroughbred racing association to conduct thoroughbred racing at a racetrack that was used to conduct a thoroughbred race meeting in the southern zone prior to 2012.

(2) The board shall not allocate dates to a thoroughbred association in the central zone for the purpose of conducting racing if a thoroughbred racing association is conducting racing in the southern zone on the same date during daytime hours.

(3) From the weeks available in the combined central and southern zones pursuant to subdivision (a), the board shall allocate a minimum of 25 weeks per year to a thoroughbred racing association to conduct thoroughbred racing at a racetrack that was used to conduct a thoroughbred race meeting in the central zone prior to 2012.

(4) The board shall not allocate dates to a thoroughbred association in the southern zone for the purpose of conducting racing if a thoroughbred racing association is conducting racing in the central zone on the same date during daytime hours.

(5) From the weeks available in the combined central and southern zones pursuant to subdivision (a), the board may allocate a maximum of five weeks per year to a thoroughbred racing association to conduct thoroughbred racing at a racetrack in the southern zone that was not used to conduct a thoroughbred race meeting in the southern zone prior to 2012.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 428, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2014.)