Longchamp Opener Cancelled by Strike

For the fourth consecutive year, a strike by parimutuel clerks has caused postponement of key races in France. The first meeting of the year at Longchamp was cancelled Thursday because of a job action, according to the Daily Racing Form.

Two listed races, the Prix de Courcelles and the Prix Lord Seymour were cancelled and rescheduled for Friday at Maisons-Laffitte. Also, Saturday's card at Saint-Cloud, which featured the group III Prix Edmond Blanc, has been cancelled. Part of the Longchamp program is slated to be made up next week at a newly created meeting at Fontainebleau.

Parimutuel workers refused to work after they failed to reach agreement on a new contract with France Galop, the country's governing body for flat racing. Last year's Grand Prix de Paris meeting at Longchamp was postponed for two days, and two years ago an all-claiming card was cancelled at Saint-Cloud. The Longchamp season opener three years ago was also cancelled.