Los Alamitos Race Course has cancelled its live daytime Thoroughbred racing program scheduled for Friday, Dec. 8.

The decision to cancel the daytime racing program was made due to the tragic fire that swept through the San Luis Rey Downs training center in San Diego County. Several barns were destroyed by the fast-moving flames and an unknown number of horses did not survive.

“This is a tragic blow to the California Thoroughbred racing industry and of great sorrow to everyone,” said Jack Liebau, vice-president of the Los Alamitos Racing Association. “We express our sympathy to the owners, trainers and caretakers of the horses victimized by this tragic event. We salute those who so bravely attempted to safeguard horses at San Luis Rey Downs in face of the swiftly approaching fire as well as those who transported horses to Del Mar under hazardous conditions and those who went to Del Mar to aid the horses moved there.” 

The Los Alamitos Winter Thoroughbred meet is scheduled to resume Saturday, Dec. 9 with post time at 12:30 p.m. The nine-race card will include a pair of Grade I races for 2-year-olds – the $300,000-guaranteed Starlet for fillies and the $300,000-guaranteed Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity. The two events are run at 1 1/16 miles.

All of us here at IdaBet.com pray for everyone’s safety (humans and animals alike) during this difficult time with the California fires.