Los Alamitos
Los Alamitos Race Course is a horse racing track in Cypress, California. The track hosts both thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. The track has the distinction of holding four quarter horse stakes races with purses over $1 million, more than any other track in the United States. Although the track is geographically located in the city of Cypress, it has a Los Alamitos postal address. Los Alamitos lies just across Katella Avenue to the south.
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Los Alamitos History
Arriving from Kentucky with only $19 to his name, Frank Vessels Sr. built a fortune in the construction industry, and eventually purchased a 435-acre (1.76 km2) ranch in Orange County. Racing at what is today Los Alamitos started off as match races contested on the Vessels Ranch in 1947.
The first pari-mutual meet at Los Alamitos was held in 1951. The meet lasted 11 days, closing on 15 December. It rained for ten of the eleven days of the inaugural meet. Frank Vessels and his family spent many hours during this first meet repairing rain-induced damage to the racecourse. The closing night festivities featured a world record performance by the mare Bart B S in the Miss Princess Handicap. She covered the 400 yards in a time of :20.3.
Following the first meet, Mr. Vessels sank $100,000 of his personal funds into improvements at the track and lobbied the California Horse Racing Board for a total of 16 days of racing, which he was granted. The 1952 season saw financial success as business doubled over the initial meet.
The 1955 season saw the first true superstar of Los Alamitos. A coon-tailed, roan quarter horse with a distinctive look and noticeable personality, the popularity of Go Man Go was such that huge crowds would pack the grandstands and chant the roan colt's name as he notched victory after victory.
Dr. Ed Allred's first appearance as a law student at Los Alamitos was an unheralded event. He was only at the track because he had read that the Allred Brothers (who were no relations) were racing a horse at Los Alamitos. This one day started a life long love affair that would eventually see Mr. Allred as the sole owner of Los Alamitos.
Until the 1990s, the Vessels Family had always owned Los Alamitos. However, the 1980s proved a time of great change, as the track passed from one owner to another. Finally, When Los Alamitos was put up for sale in 1990, Allred was able to acquire 50 per cent ownership, with help from RD Hubbard. 1995 saw the opening of the $5 million Vessels Club, the lavish turf club restaurant which has gained fame for the decor and food alike. The Vessels Club has even been named the top sports park restaurant in Southern California. In addition to the Vessels Club, the track has also opened such fan favorites as the Player's Club, Rodney's Bar (named after trainer Rodney Hart) and Schwanie's Grill (named for trainer Blane Schvaneveldt) under Dr. Allred's tenure.
The track is home to special events like the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity, a race for 2-year-olds held in December. Started in 1995, this annual race has offered a purse of more than $1 million and since 2006 has featured a $2 million purse. The Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity is the only Quarter Horse race in the country with $500,000 in added money. Los Alamitos Race Course is also the home of the annual Los Alamitos Super Derby, which offers the richest purse of any race for 3-year-olds in California and the richest California-bred race of any breed, the $400,000 Governor's Cup Futurity in July.
Los Alamitos Live Horse Racing Schedule
Thursday through Sunday
Los Alamitos Layout
Main Track:5/8 mile, oval.
Distance from last turn to finish line: 558 feet.
Post Time at Los Alamitos
Weekday 7:15 pm
Saturday 6:15 pm
Sunday 5:30 pm
Los Alamitos Track Code
LA
Exotic Wagering Format
$1 Exacta on all races.
$2 Daily Doubles on first two and last two races.
$1 "Rolling" Pick Three beginning on First race.
$1 Pick Four starting on race one.
$1 Trifecta on all races with eight or more betting interests.
$2 Quinella on all races that do not have a trifecta.
$2 Pick Six on races 5 through 10.
$1 Superfecta on the last race.
Current Weather Conditions at Los Alamitos
Los Alamitos Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Los Alamitos Race Course
4961 Katella Avenue
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Street Address:
Los Alamitos Race Course
4961 Katella Avenue
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Website: www.losalamitos.com
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