Once parimutuel wagering returned to California in 1933, it did not take long for racetracks to start springing up across the state. The result of those endeavors were evident in the last part of 1934 for both Northern and Southern California.

Everyone knows what happened down south. After an absence of a quarter of a century, Thoroughbred action returned when Santa Anita opened to a large crowd on December 25, 1934.

But racing fans up north celebrated a little earlier, as Bay Meadows Racecourse up in San Mateo debuted on November 3 that year.

Thousands made the trip to the new racetrack, ready to take in a card consisting of