Thoroughbreds to Race at Los Alamitos Track

Gov. Pete Wilson signed a bill on Thursday that will allow thoroughbreds to race at Los Alamitos.

The bill, which had passed the Assembly and Senate in June, restricts Los Alamitos to cheaper thoroughbreds. Races can be no longer than 4 1/2 furlongs and for claiming prices of $5,000 or less. The program is designed to give Los Alamitos more races and lesser thoroughbreds from the major Southland circuit racing opportunities in Southern California.

Quarter horses will remain the main racing breed at the track. The bill dictated that at least half the races each night be for quarter horses at distances shorter than 550 yards. Edward Allred, the president and chief executive officer of the Horsemen’s Quarter Horse Racing Assn., which conducts quarter horse racing at Los Alamitos, said the first thoroughbred races will probably be carded for July 23.