Hollywood Park shortens its autumn meet

[MaryS]

HORSE RACING: Hollywood Park shortens its autumn meet
Staff and News Services
Posted: 08/21/2009 06:24:35 PM PDT

Hollywood Park's autumn meeting will be 13 days shorter than in 2008 and, as a result, the track will drop four stakes races, including the Grade I Hollywood Turf Cup.

The track announced Friday that 14 stakes worth $2.85 million in purses have been scheduled for the 27-day meeting that begins Nov. 14 and ends Dec. 20.

In an effort to maintain its overnight purse schedule, the track has suspended the Hollywood Turf Cup, Grade III Dahlia Handicap, Real Quiet Stakes and Sharp Cat Stakes.

"This is a one-year suspension. Hopefully, with more days at future meets, we will bring some of these races back," said Martin Panza, vice president of racing.

The Turf Festival, staged over Thanksgiving weekend, will be reduced to five races with the loss of the Grade III Hollywood Turf Express. It will still feature three Grade I races, although the purse for each has been reduced to $300,000. ...

[Kermit]

Turf Festival never was the same after the Breeder's Cup came about, but I still hate to see it diminished.

Time for a new hobby.