Bill Allows Los Alamitos Thoroughbred Sprints

A bill that would allow thoroughbreds to race at Los Alamitos during quarter horse meetings was passed by the Assembly on Thursday, 64-1, and is headed for Gov. Pete Wilson’s desk.

The bill limits Los Alamitos to cheaper thoroughbreds. The races cannot exceed 4 1/2 furlongs and must have claiming prices of no more than $5,000. No stakes, allowance or maiden allowances can be offered. The lowest claiming race offered on the major thoroughbred circuit is $8,000 at Hollywood Park.

Officials of the Horsemen’s Quarter Horse Racing Assn., which operates quarter horse racing at Los Alamitos, are hopeful that Wilson will sign the bill within a week.

Currently, thoroughbreds run against quarter horses over 870 yards in stakes and claiming races. The Assembly bill includes a provision protecting quarter horse sprints, stipulating that 50% of the races written must be quarter horse races of 550 yards or shorter. HQHRA officials are hoping the bill will lead to new owners and trainers racing in California.

“The majority of the stables in the Southwest, outside of California, are cheaper thoroughbreds and better quarter horses,” said Dr. Edward Allred, the president and chief executive officer of the HQHRA. “With the purse structure we’ll be able to offer, we think it will be a very big draw.”

Allred also said the inclusion of thoroughbreds could attract enough horses to expand the race meeting to five nights of racing a week, instead of the current four.