Boycott Is a Threat to Card

Upset over the increasing cost of workman’s compensation insurance, some trainers boycotted the entry box at Hollywood Park Saturday morning, so there were insufficient entries for Wednesday’s card. Reportedly, only about 10 horses were entered.

An estimated 60 trainers met with officials from Hollywood Park, Del Mar, Santa Anita and the Thoroughbred Owners of California Saturday morning seeking support, but apparently weren’t completely satisfied with the proposals presented.

Ed Halpern, the executive director of the California Thoroughbred Trainers, said another meeting is scheduled for this morning at Hollywood Park.

“Hopefully, everybody will come to a mutual understanding,” Halpern said. “Something is going to be done about this at some point. How we get it done is the question.”

He said any boycott was not endorsed by the CTT, but rather was the decision of individual trainers.

Before Halpern said another meeting had been scheduled, Hollywood Park issued a statement saying that entries for Wednesday and Thursday will be taken today and that the entry box would remain open until 2 p.m.

The release went on to say that if racing has to be canceled Wednesday because of a lack of entries, those races won’t be offered again and that the racing office, where entries are taken, will be closed Monday.

Rick Baedeker, the president of Hollywood Park, said all involved are working on two plans, both of which are likely to be in place by Aug. 1, but trainers are looking for immediate help. Some trainers have policies with private insurance companies that expire after today.