U.S. Federal Judge John G. Davies heard arguments Monday from attorneys representing 13 harness drivers and the Los Alamitos Race Course. The drivers were denied the right to drive at Los Alamitos because they did not meet minimum criteria based on experience and success ratio.
Davies took the arguments under submission and is expected to render a decision in a few days. Richard Craigo, an attorney representing the harness drivers, said that the drivers' civil rights were being violated by the track's exclusion. Jerry Mandel, representing the track, cited California Horse Racing Board rule 1990, which says a track can refuse to hire at its discretion.
