CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- The scheduled nine-race card at Charles Town was canceled last night after the second race as the result of a labor dispute between outriders and track management.

Outriders are mounted attendants who assist jockeys with unruly horses, bring to hand loose horses and lead the horses to the starting gate.

The track was left with only one substitute outrider after the regularly scheduled outriders failed to show up for the first race at 7:21 p.m. The decision to cancel was made after representatives of the jockeys expressed to racing officials their concerns about the safety of riding the balance of the card without the usual contingent of two outriders.

Track management and the board of stewards agreed, and the cancellation announcement was made.

"We regret the inconvenience to our fans which a cancellation of this nature causes. However, the safety of our jockeys and horses must always be our first concern," general manager Donald E. Hudson said after the announcement.

Racing is scheduled to resume tomorrow afternoon with a 10-race card. Post time is 1 p.m.