Uncertainty hangs over track

The first spring-summer meet at Hollywood Park was held in 1938. Now with the 70th anniversary meet opening today, the question is: Will this be the last?

“I honestly don’t know,” said Jack Liebau, president of the Inglewood track. “I don’t think anybody knows.

“I do know we will continue to run the track on the basis that racing will continue indefinitely, even though we know that is not the case.”

The Bay Area Land Co. purchased the track and its 250-acre site in September 2005 for $260 million.

The company is currently in the middle of entitlement proceedings to acquire the proper zoning so it can demolish the track and build shops, restaurants and apartments or condominiums on the property.

“The entitlement proceedings are progressing in a satisfactory manner,” Liebau said.

In racing circles, there has been some speculation that the current economic climate might slow the development plans, but Liebau said he didn’t believe that the economy would have a significant effect.

“Hopefully, between now and when the project is completed, the economy will have improved,” he said.

Liebau is also the president of the Bay Meadows Racetrack in San Mateo, a position he has held since 1992. He was named president of Hollywood Park after the purchase of the track in 2005.

“Since I first took over at Bay Meadows, there has been speculation just about every year that the track would be closing,” he said. “That’s 16 years. However, it appears that now, in 2008, the track will finally be closing.”

The meet that ends May 11 is expected to be the last at the San Mateo track.

Liebau, looking on the bright side, said there is much to be positive about heading into the Hollywood Park meet. He noted that the stables have been full, the synthetic track has been refurbished and is being well-received by jockeys and trainers, and the first weekend of the meet features Lava Man running in Sunday’s $150,000 TVG Khaled Stakes, one of six stakes races that make up the $1.3-million Cal National Gold Rush IX.

Trainer Doug O’Neill says Lava Man is back in top form after consecutive sixth-place finishes in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 19 and the Cal Cup Classic during Oak Tree at Santa Anita on Nov. 3. The 7-year-old gelding has also been reunited with his groom, Noe Garcia, who lost his left arm in an auto accident near Del Mar last July.

Lava Man could be going after an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory in the Hollywood Gold Cup on June 28.

Another highlight of the 60-day meet will be the July 5 card with five stakes worth a total of $2.2 million, including two $750,000 races, the American Oaks and the CashCall Mile.

The feature race today will be the $100,000-added Wilshire Handicap.

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larry.stewart@latimes.com

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Hollywood Park facts and figures

Race dates: Today-July 13 (60 days). Race days Wednesday-Sunday, plus Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day).

Post times: 1:20 p.m. most Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, also May 26. Exceptions: Noon on May 3, 17, June 7, 28, and July 5; 12:30 p.m. April 27; 7:05 p.m. July 3. 7:05 p.m. on most Fridays. Exceptions: 1:20 p.m. May 2 and July 4.

TV: TVG

Significant races: Sunday: Cal National Gold Rush IX; May 10: $250,000 Jim Murray Handicap; May 26: $250,000 Shoemaker Mile; May 31: $250,000 Californian; June 7: $300,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap; June 28: $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup; July 5: $750,000 American Oaks and $750,000 CashCall Mile

Hollywood Park