Race Fans Rue End of an Era : Business: Longacres Park closed Monday after 59 years; Boeing will use the land to build an office complex.

A crowd of more than 20,000 wearing yellow ribbons and waving racing forms bid goodby to 59 years of horse racing in Western Washington as Longacres Park closed Monday.

The Boeing Co., which bought the thoroughbred track two years ago, plans to begin construction of an office complex on the site later this month.

Closing day drew one of the largest crowds in Longacres’ history. People poured into the park hours after the first race started at 3 p.m. and cars were backed up nearly a mile to a highway exit as they made their way to the racetrack grounds about 15 miles south of Seattle.

“I can remember going to the races when I was a little kid. To be here on the last day, it’s a privilege,” said Barry Bland, 30, of Graham, Wash.

After the last race, fans were allowed on the track to scoop a cup of dirt to keep as a souvenir.

“It’s a landmark that’s dying,” said Seattle resident Charles Rahmig, 30, who skipped work to go to closing day. “In the Pacific Northwest there are not very many thoroughbred race tracks left.”

Founded in 1933 by Joe Gottstein, Longacres ownership was passed down through three generations. Gottstein’s grandchildren, Mike and Jeff Alhadeff, sold the track in 1990 for a reported $90 million. Many in the horse racing industry said the sale was necessary because operation of the track was no longer financially feasible.

But many in the crowd were angry.

“I’m really ticked off at these grandchildren for selling out,” said Pete Sweo, 24, of Seattle. “They really built this place up to be a nice track and now it’s going become just another Boeing institution.”

Others called the closure bad for the economy. Shutting down Longacres is expected to lay off more than 15,000 people and imperil the state’s $400-million horse racing industry. So far, efforts to build a replacement track in the Seattle area have failed.

Gary Baze, the track’s winningest jockey, had ridden more than 1,500 winners at Longacres since 1973. He said he will move to Northern California or Phoenix and continue riding.

“I have a lot of memories of this place,” Baze said. “From the time I was a baby, Longacres was here. It seemed like it would always be here.”