Les Bois Park Back on Track

Racing is scheduled to resume Wednesday night at Les Bois Park. On Sunday the track's jockeys refused to continue racing after the fourth race due to unsafe track conditions. Three horses were injured that day, one catastrophically.

Since then, the track's surface has been altered slightly, and officials at the track near Boise, Idaho, have formed an oversight committee which includes horsemen, jockeys, members of the Idaho State Racing Commission, and track management. In addition, Kenny Anderson has been brought in to supervise the racetrack's condition through its closing day of Aug. 10. Anderson previously served as track superintendent from 1992-2001.

According to the Idaho Statesman, temperatures in Boise reached 101 degrees on Sunday. A trainer told the paper that kind of weather causes the track to lose moisture and can create an unsafe surface.

Les Bois faced a similar situation in July of 2002 when jockeys refused to ride due to unsafe conditions.

The Statesman said on Tuesday a crew dug up loose soil, leveled the racetrack surface, and added a mixture of soil and bark, as well as water, to the track.

According to a release, soil samples from the track will be tested after the meet has ended and any necessary changes will take place before the 2004 season.

Wednesday's post time is 4:30 p.m. and the card includes Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse races. The $51,000 Northwest Juvenile Challenge, which was scheduled for Sunday, will be run this evening.