Los Alamitos Launches Major Daytime Thoroughbred Racing

Los Alamitos Race Course's first full-fledged major daytime thoroughbred meeting begins today with an eight-race card, including the $100,000 Bertrando Stakes.

The first 10,000 fans with paid admission will receive a T-shirt featuring the likeness of Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes champion California Chrome, who has been stabled at Los Alamitos since early this year.

Racing will be conducted Thursdays through Sundays through July 13. Post time throughout the eight-day season is 2 p.m.

Today's card marks the racing debut of the track's one-mile dirt oval.

"The track surface at Los Alamitos is as good a racetrack as you will find anywhere in the country," said Art Sherman, California Chrome's trainer.

The highlight of the Los Alamitos Summer Thoroughbred Festival will be Saturday's 1 1/8-mile $500,000 Grade 2 Los Alamitos Derby for 3-year-olds.

A three-week thoroughbred winter meeting will be held at the track beginning Dec. 4. Both the summer and winter meetings will be on racing dates that had gone to the now-closed Hollywood Park.

Los Alamitos, best known for its nighttime quarter horse racing, has low-level thoroughbreds running at night.

--City News Service