Los Alamitos to Close Feb. 5-9 for Annual Track Refresh

No live racing will be held at Los Alamitos Race Course the weekend of Feb. 7-8 as the maintenance team conducts its scheduled annual track surface refresh. The maintenance project will begin following the conclusion of morning training Feb. 4. To provide the Los Alamitos staff with ample time to complete the comprehensive refresh of the 1-mile dirt oval, the track will be closed for training during Feb. 5-9. Training will resume Feb. 10 and live racing returns on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, with a mixed card featuring the Los Alamitos Winter Derby, a grade 1 event for Quarter Horses. The annual procedure is an integral component of Los Alamitos' ongoing efforts to maintain the highest safety standards for both horses and riders. The project is conducted under the guidance of Dennis Moore, one of the nation's most respected experts in track surface management. Further reinforcing these safety protocols, Dr. Mick Peterson of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory visited Los Alamitos in December for detailed testing and data collection. The on-site results were highly consistent. Notably, when measured against the two-year industry standard deviation for all tracks tested nationwide from 2023-24, the Los Alamitos surface tested similarly to some of the safest racing venues in the country. For the 2026 racing season, Los Alamitos has further strengthened its Inclement Weather Policy and Track Maintenance Program. To ensure maximum protection of the surface during wet weather conditions, the track will no longer open for morning joggers when the surface has been sealed and Los Alamitos is racing on that night. While live night racing is paused, Los Alamitos will remain open for daytime simulcasting featuring tracks such as Santa Anita Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, Gulfstream Park, and Oaklawn Park. There will be no night simulcasting from Feb. 6-8.