It’s
been a tough year for Los Angeles area landmarks. The Santa Monica Civic is closing for good this summer. The Gibson (formerly Universal)
Amphitheater is set to be demolished at the end of the year. Now comes the not so stunning news that
Hollywood Park will hold their last horse races in December. Its going to be razed for the dreaded
“mixed use residential and commercial development.” There’s plenty of empty homes and storefronts in Inglewood
right now. I don’t think this will
help the economy in that troubled area.
I
know the sport of kings is on a death watch. Horse racing in general is facing increased scrutiny for
untimely deaths on the tracks and illegal steroids in the barns. Owners have been desperate to have a
Triple Crown winner since 1978. The gambling take has been hurt by the
proliferation of nearby Indian casinos.
Even those who play the ponies regularly can do so from home with
internet sites and TV broadcasts. Attendance
is down at most tracks, especially ones in areas like Inglewood, which isn’t exactly
a garden spot.
Yet
Hollywood Park is still a special place, if only for its history. Built in 1938 by a consortium of
Hollywood moguls, it used to be the place to be for celebrities as well as
“rail birds” who visited every day.
Citation won the Hollywood Gold Cup there in his final start in
1951. Laffit Pincay, Bill
Shoemaker and current hot-shot jockey Rafael Bejarano have all raced
there. It’s a shame it has to
close.
What’s
also a shame is that horse racing as a sport has been left out of the gambling
equation in general. One of my
favorite things to do in Las Vegas is place a couple of bets on the ponies and
then play video poker in-between the races. I’ve even done this at Fantasy Springs Casino in the Palm
Springs area. My favorite Indian
casino also has off-track betting.
For just a few bucks I have a chance at winning some decent money
between the racing and video poker.
Its an exciting way to spend a couple of hours even if I come out
empty-handed.
Despite
efforts by track owners to pass some laws, slot machines and video poker are
not allowed at the racetracks in California. That’s why I expect more tracks to be shutting down. Sure, the beautiful places like Del Mar will
continue to operate, if only for their tourist appeal. Horse racing as a way of life in
general is definitely on the way out.
The
downward spiral that’s affected Hollywood Park will continue if they continue
to ban other forms of gaming at the parks.
I
have to admit a certain selfish desire to keep Hollywood Park open. Its just down the road from where I
live, a straight shot drive from the beach to Inglewood and I don’t have to get
on a freeway to get there. I saw
the Gin Blossoms play a free show on Memorial Day after the races and went to
one of the best bachelor parties ever at Hollywood Park. I’m on the mailing list that often
sends out free admission coupons.
I usually bet $2 exacta boxes (two horses on one bet) and sometimes I’ve
won major bucks. Like all forms of
gambling, if I stay within my budget, I don’t mind losing because its still a
fun way to spend the day.
Sadly,
those days are about to end. Not
just for Hollywood Park but probably horse racing in general. The solution is obvious. Allow other forms of gambling. I don’t think that’s going to happen.
