Rains Wash Out Los Alamitos Card : Weather: America’s Cup, college and high school competition also postponed by storm.

Thousands showed up at Los Alamitos Wednesday afternoon to watch the simulcast from Santa Anita but had to leave early when when evening harness racing was canceled because of the rain.

The storm has forced numerous cancellations and postponements of area sporting events, including the rare closure at Los Alamitos.

“This track hasn’t been shut down because of weather since the mid-1980s,” track spokesman Ron Jackimowicz said. “We had heavy fog many years back that affected a night of racing, but I can’t remember the last time rain played a factor.”

Although the track was in good enough condition to race, the 12-race program was canceled because of maneuverability problems for the starting gate car over the muddy surface.

The $17,500 Seal Beach Series Final for California-bred colts and geldings was postponed until Feb. 19. No decision has been made concerning tonight’s program.

In San Diego, the America’s Cup defender trials between Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes and Bill Koch’s Defiant was postponed until today, weather permitting, because of heavy winds.

The order of pairings remains the same, with the ninth and final race scheduled for Tuesday.

Transportation problems affected many college contests.

The UCLA men’s volleyball team, ranked No. 3 in the nation, had to postpone a home match with No. 13 UC Santa Barbara because the Gauchos had trouble getting to Westwood.

Several junior college basketball games also were postponed, including the men’s and women’s doubleheader between College of the Canyons and Los Angeles Valley College at Van Nuys. Valley College canceled classes Wednesday.

The college baseball season, which began two weeks ago, is off to a rough start with continued rainouts. UCLA had to cancel its game Wednesday at UC Santa Barbara. Even when the rain stops, most fields will take several days to dry.

High school sports have also been affected. With the boys’ and girls’ soccer and basketball seasons in the final week of regular-season play, league championships are on the line throughout the CIF City and Southern sections.

Leaky roofs and transportation problems forced the postponement of several basketball games Wednesday.

The City boys’ basketball showdown between Reseda and Woodland Hills El Camino Real was called off when several players could not get to the game. A dozen Reseda players are bused from outside the San Fernando Valley.

“My mom said she wouldn’t allow me to get on a bus to get the game,” Reseda guard Marquis Burns said. “She didn’t want me on the freeway.”

City girls’ basketball games at Poly and Roosevelt highs were postponed because the courts were covered in water.