"It has become evident that it is virtually impossible to fill the cards at Garden State Park," track President Richard Orbann told the commissioners. "We're asking the commission to cancel the last six Wednesdays, which would enable us to save some credibility for Garden State Park and New Jersey Thoroughbred racing."

Orbann said that on three occasions, Garden State has conducted a three-horse race, and four-horse races have been run twice. On 29 other occasions, field sizes totaled five or six horses.

"The product has been unattractive and it's not pretty," said Orbann. "The public needs assurances of something to bet."

Orbann said turf racing at Garden State could begin any time between April 15 and 21. If turf racing garners more entries, the racing office could add races to programs which will be run on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays during the rest of the meet.

Michael Musto, executive director of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, did not object to the cutback. Instead, he endorsed Orbann's proposal of adding a race or two to programs when turf racing becomes available.

Orbann that "by eliminating the six Wednesdays, we could at least see a small purse increase" for the remainder of the meeting, which ends on May 20. Garden State's overnight purse structure is averaging $70,000. —Tom De Martini