HAZEL PARK, MI—APRIL 5, 2018—Effective today (Thursday) after nearly 70 years of horse racing, Hazel Park Raceway is closed.

The track, near Detroit, Michigan made the announcement in a news release that it has entered into an agreement to sell its assets. The deal is expected to close in the next few weeks. Terms were not disclosed.

The track was scheduled to open its 2018 season, which included American Quarter Horse racing, on May 4.

Horsemen, who had started setting up their stalls in anticipation of the upcoming race meet were caught off-guard by the announcement.

"It basically came out of left field," George Kutlenios, president of the Michigan Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association, told the Detroit Free Press. "We were caught so off guard by this."

By contract, horses were allowed on the racetrack grounds 30 days ahead of opening, according to Kutlenios, who said horses were being shipped to Hazel Park from all over the country to start training at the track.

The raceway says it will offer assistance to its 90 employees in their search for new employment.

The track's closure leaves Northville Downs as the only horse racing site left in Michigan.