When the much-heralded thoroughbred Native Diver was buried at Hollywood Park raceway decades ago, officials probably never thought his remains would have to be exhumed years later.

That is indeed the case, as archaeologists and students from the University of Southern California descended upon the now-closed track in Inglewood this past Saturday in order to remove the remains of the famous runner.

A report by the Los Angeles Times explains that Hollywood Park hosted its last race this past December and that an office and shopping complex is now planned for the site.

The idea of Native Diver’s remains lying under such a development did not sit well with Richard Shapiro, who, as the article explains, is the grandson of the horse’s breeder.

Shapiro met with archaeologist Lynn Swartz Dodd and Tom Garrison – both of which are professors at USC – along with roughly a dozen archaeology students. The mission: exhume Native Diver and store his remains until a new burial location could be determined.

The report explains that Native Diver’s remains will be held at Del Mar racetrack until a final resting place can be found.

(With files from the Los Angeles Times)