Los Alamitos cancels Saturday card due to nearby chemical spill

Los Alamitos canceled an eight-race mixed-breed program on Saturday evening after an area east of the track was ordered evacuated because of concern over a potential chemical spill.

The track was not open for simulcasting earlier on Saturday, according to a midday statement. It was not clear whether Los Alamitos will be open for simulcasting on Sunday, or will race that evening, according to Saturday’s statement.

Saturday’s eight-race program did not include a stakes.

Early on Friday, an area that includes approximately 40,000 residents was ordered evacuated out of concern that a tank holding volatile chemicals in nearby Westminister, Calif., could ignite, creating a massive fire and releasing toxic fumes. Fire officials were working on Friday and Saturday to reduce the threat.

As of early Saturday morning, it was unclear when evacuation orders would be lifted, according to Los Angeles media.

In its statement, Los Alamitos said its parking lot was being used as a staging area for emergency vehicles. The evacuation zone begins approximately a mile from the track.

The chemical plant under threat is less than two miles from the track.

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