Oak Tree at Hollywood cancels Wednesday after downpour erodes track

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Hollywood Park canceled its eight-race Wednesday program after a significant downpour in late morning led to erosion in two places on the backstretch.

The decision to cancel races was made at 1:34 p.m., a half-hour after the scheduled start to the program.

Approximately 1.25 inches of rain fell in about an hour before lunch, according to track officials. An area near the five-furlong pole, adjacent to a path between the barns and the racetrack, was the section of principal concern. Track officials said water ran down the path during the rainstorm and collected on the racetrack.

Track maintenance crews worked on the surface through lunchtime and into early afternoon to salvage the race card, which had been postponed until 1:40 p.m. By 1:30 p.m., it was apparent that racing would not go forward at 1:40 p.m. since the horses for the first race had not been sent to the paddock.

Racing is scheduled to resume on Thursday with an eight-race program beginning at 1 p.m. Ontrack patrons were advised to keep their programs as a rain check good for admission on other days during the current Oak Tree meeting, which lasts until Oct. 31.