Woodbine Entertainment, Colonial Downs and Delaware Park have cancelled their respective live Thoroughbred racing programs due to poor air quality caused by extensive wildfires in Canada, the tracks said in press releases on Friday.
After shelving Thursday's card, Woodbine said that Environment Canada's air quality index for Toronto is again listed as 'High Risk' and is expected to remain at this level throughout Friday.
Canada's Thoroughbred track added that the decision to cancel comes through consultation with the HBPA, the Jockeys' Guild and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), and is consistent with the AGCO's air quality guidelines.
The cancellation has been made in the best interests of the health and safety of the horses and racing participants.
Woodbine Entertainment, with approval from the Alcohol Gaming Commission of Ontario and consultation from the HBPA, has added a rescheduled race card for this Monday (July 20) at Woodbine Racetrack.
According to the website IQAir, which tracks air quality, the numbers for Wilmington, Delaware throughout Friday were rated as “unhealthy.”
Delaware's Friday card will be moved to Tuesday, July 21.
Live racing is scheduled to resume at all three tracks on Saturday afternoon.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
