Sale of Hollywood approved

The California Horse Racing Board on Thursday approved the sale of Hollywood Park from Churchill Downs to the Bay Meadows Land Co., a decision that will allow Bay Meadows to operate Hollywood Park as a simulcast facility starting in September, when the sale is scheduled to be completed.

Bay Meadows will appear before the board again in September to request a license to conduct a meeting at Hollywood Park in November and December.

The acquisition of Hollywood Park by Bay Meadows was subject to the approval of the racing board because the Bay Meadows Land Co. also operates Bay Meadows Race Course in San Mateo, Calif.

In testimony before the board, Jack Liebau, who will oversee Bay Meadows and Hollywood Park for the Bay Meadows Land Co., told the board that Bay Meadows would install a synthetic Polytrack racing surface if the board agrees to a three-year allocation of racing dates for 2006-08.