No Deal on New Los Alamitos Lease : Harness racing: Three horsemen reject track owners’ proposal, leaving little time for standardbred interests.

A group of three harness horsemen failed to reach an agreement Friday with Los Alamitos management to conduct harness racing next year, leaving standardbred interests in desperate need for a backer.

Paul Reddam of Newport Beach, Perry De Luna of Culver City and Neil Kelly of Hollister met with the owners of the Cypress track throughout the day and evening on Friday, but could not agree on terms. The three came forward at the beginning of October with the most substantial offer for the 1993 lease, available because harness promoter and track owner Lloyd Arnold will retire.

The decision leaves harness racing with only one month to lure another operator. If none is found, then quarter horse interests are expected to ask the California Horse Racing Board to revamp the 1993 calender, expanding their schedule.

Reddam said that his group would not be making another offer.

“(The owners) said what it would take to make it work and I didn’t think it was financially feasible,” Reddam said.

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Arnold and Chris Bardis of Sacramento each own 25% of the track, while Edward Allred of Long Beach, a prominent quarter horsemen, owns 50%.

The decision not to sign a lease comes on the eve of California harness racing’s annual yearling sale, which is scheduled for this morning. A dispersal sale is also scheduled for Sunday at the track.

Horsemen at Los Alamitos, however, are eager for a decision so they can make plans for 1993.

“It’s scary,” said trainer Paul Blumenfeld, who is among the leaders at Los Alamitos. “I’m here to stay for the rest of the meet.

“(Harness racing) is very hard to slam in the coffin,” he said. “They’ve tried before and we’re still here. If they don’t strike a deal (in the next month), I don’t see how the legislature can let a breed die. It effects everyone, the trainers, drivers, blacksmiths, owners, everybody.”