Los Al Trainer Hurt in Attack

Bob Gilbert, 56, a leading quarter horse trainer at Los Alamitos for more than 20 years, was listed in critical condition Wednesday night after undergoing surgery following an apparent beating at the track.

Gilbert was discovered by security officers after 5 a.m. Wednesday in a remote area where trainers park their horse trailers. He had a bruise on the side of his face, a swollen jaw and abrasions on the back of the head. He was taken to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, where surgery was completed at 3 p.m.

The Cypress Police . Department is treating the incident as a homicide attempt. There are no suspects, a spokesman said.

Sources at the track said Gilbert had dropped off a horse Tuesday at a farm in Temecula. Gilbert was known to frequent the nearby casino on the Pechanga Indian Reservation and won “several thousand dollars” playing cards Tuesday night, sources said. He reportedly left the casino early Wednesday to drive his horse trailer back to Los Alamitos. Police believe he was assaulted shortly after he arrived at the track.