Citing dissatisfaction with its newly installed turf course, Hollywood Park
has canceled turf racing during its 31-day Autumn Meet, which begins November 9.
“The course did not meet our expectations,” Hollywood Park General Manager
Eual G. Wyatt Jr. said. “We don’t want to mislead anyone or put any individuals
or horses in jeopardy. We’re doing what is right under the circumstances and
will begin work immediately on the installation of a new course.”
The 11 stakes races scheduled for the turf course — including the six Turf
Festival races over Thanksgiving Weekend — will not be run. They include the
$500,000 Hollywood Derby (G1), $500,000 Matriarch S. (G1) and $400,000
Citation H. (G1).
The purse money from all eight graded races scheduled for the turf course will be
redirected to overnight purses. The other graded grass races that have been
cancelled are the $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup H. (G1), $150,000 Dahlia H. (G2),
$150,000 Hollywood Turf Express H. (G3), $100,000 Generous S. (G3) and $100,000 Miesque S. (G3).
“The total monies for overnight purses will be increased significantly as a
result,” Hollywood Park Racing Secretary Martin Panza said. “We will be working
with the Thoroughbred Owners of California on a revised purse structure that
will benefit those who participate at the meeting.”