Hollywood Park Race Track to Close in 2013 After 75 Years

Image: Sportsillustrated.cnn.com

The Hollywood Park race track in Inglewood will close at the end of the year after 75 years of horse racing. Track president, Jack Liebau, said that with advancements in technology, fewer people are coming to the races to place their bets.

Southern California’s Hollywood Park race track will be hosting its final race at the end of 2013. According to ABC, the track’s history of hosting famous jockeys and horses, including Seabiscuit, Citation and Seattle Slew, is not enough to keep it from closing.

“We have over half of our businesses out of state as far as wagering is concerned, and there now is more wagering over the Internet than there is on track,” said Liebau, On Thursday, he announced that “the Hollywood Park will not apply with the California Horse Racing Board for any 2014 dates,” according to the Beverly Hills Courier.

Hall of fame jockey Mike Smith told ABC, “When I first came from New York, this is the first place I can to, so it’s a sad day for all of us.”

The last day of racing will be December 22, and reports indicate that the 260 acres of land will subsequently be developed into single-family homes, condos, retail space and a hotel.

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