Betfair Hollywood Park to Close After 75 Years

Betfair Hollywood Park, in a May 9 letter, said it told the California Horse Racing Board it won't seek 2014 racing dates and will close at the end of its fall meet Dec. 22.
The letter informing the industry of the coming closure was written and sent by Hollywood Park president Jack Liebau, who said the CHRB was informed May 8. The closure was first discussed on HRTV early in the afternoon of May 9.
Hollywood's announcement comes two weeks before the CHRB is to begin consideration of race dates for the 2014 season. That meeting is to take place May 23 in Sacramento.
Hollywood Park hosted the inaugural Breeders' Cup World Championships in 1984.
The track is owned by Hollywood Park Land Co., a subsidiary of the Bay Meadows Land Co. It has been slated for closure and redevelopment for years, but the project has stalled.
"When Hollywood Park was purchased in 2005 from Churchill Downs Inc., the Land Company stated that racing would continue for a minimum of three years, and promised that during the three-year period, a concerted effort would be made to improve racing's business model," Liebau said in the letter. "Without success,(the company) spent millions on two statewide initiatives that would have brought slot machines to Hollywood Park,and thereby assured the continuation of racing.
"In the absence of a favorable change in racing's business model, the ultimate development of the Hollywood property was inevitable. Sadly for we who love racing and Hollywood Park, it was simply a matter of time."
Liebau acknowledged the "period of uncertainty" created problems for the horse racing industry in California.
"Over the next few months, the logistics of the pending closure will be worked out," Liebau said. "You will be kept advised of the plans."
Liebau also said it is expected the stable area at the Inglewood, Calif., racetrack will close by the end of this year.
The CHRB and horsemen in the state have been working on a contingency plan in case Hollywood Park closed. As of now it appears Santa Anita Park and Del Mar will race most of the dates in Southern California.
Fairplex Park has expressed interest in providing a year-round off-track training facility. In addition, San Luis Rey Downs, in Northern San Deigo County, announced plans to renovate its barn area and track beginning next month for expansion of its off-track training capability. San Luis Rey, like Santa Anita, is owned by The Stronach Group.