Los Alamitos gets good reviews for track surface

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Los Alamitos, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Los Alamitos Race Course, running its first thoroughbred meet in 23 years, is getting good reviews for its reconfigured racetrack.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced Friday that Los Alamitos has earned accreditation from the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.

"Los Alamitos has made safety a priority for all horses competing here - Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse," said Brad McKinzie, Vice President and General Manager of the Los Alamitos Racing Association. "We are appreciative of this designation that underscores that commitment."

The track expanded its main surface to a mile to accommodate its first thoroughbred meet since 1991. The current meet ends Sunday, but the thoroughbreds will return Sept. 4-23 as part of the Los Angeles County Fair and again with the Winter Meet, Dec. 4-21.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is happy with the Los Alamitos track.

"I send a lot of horses down there (Los Alamitos). When they come over, they're fit. They get sounder down there. It's a big plus," Bob Baffert told Roger Stein on a recent radio interview.

Los Alamitos happens to be the home of reigning Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome. The 3-year-old colt will resume serious training there later this month after getting time off following his Triple Crown exploits.