Saratoga has joined Finger Lakes, Laurel, Parx, Delaware Park and Ellis Park in cancelling some of their weekend cards due to a forecast of extreme heat. Saturday's card, with no re-draw, will be run as races 2-12 with a steeplechase as race 1, which was canceled Wednesday due to heavy rains, and the GIII Shuvee H. as race 13 Sunday. The decision on Saratoga's Saturday cancellation was made between NYRA, NYTHA and NYSGC.
“Working in consultation with NYTHA and following the recommendation of Dr. Palmer, we are cancelling Saturday's card in the best interests of the safety of our equine athletes and horsemen,” said NYRA CEO & President Dave O'Rourke. “Assessing the safety of racing conditions, including weather, racing surfaces and raceday scrutiny, is of the utmost importance to NYRA and our industry partners.”
Training will be permitted on both the main track and Oklahoma training track during the normally cooler early morning hours. The last time an entire Saratoga card was canceled due to extreme heat was Aug. 2, 2006 when temperatures rose to the upper 90s with a heat index of 110 degrees.
Saratoga and Belmont will be closed for simulcasting Saturday, but Aqueduct will remain open.
Finger Lakes canceled their Saturday card, which was highlighted by the New York Derby and New York Oaks, after the forecast said that the heat index could reach 110 degrees. The stakes races will be rescheduled, but the new date has yet to be announced. Finger Lakes will resume racing Monday.
Ellis Park has canceled their Friday card, but will remain open for simulcasting and gaming. They have not made a decision yet about Saturday's card.
Laurel has canceled both Saturday and Sunday's cards. All races drawn Saturday will be brought back as extras. Sunday's card was scheduled to be drawn Thursday.
Parx has also canceled their Saturday races. Monmouth Park has their biggest day of the year Saturday with a bevy of stakes headlined by the GI Haskell Invitational S. and, as of the time of publication Thursday, the track plans to hold the card as scheduled.
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