An early blast of winter weather late Monday into early Tuesday and below-freezing overnight temperatures has prompted Churchill Downs Racetrack to cancel its live racing program scheduled for Wednesday, the track announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Training at Churchill Downs was cancelled Tuesday morning as the track maintenance crew worked to keep the surface from freezing. With temperatures forecast to climb only into the mid-20s Tuesday and dip back into the teens Tuesday night, track officials have determined that track conditions will not improve significantly before racing on Wednesday.
Ten races were scheduled Wednesday and post time for the first race was scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern. Temperatures are forecast to climb above freezing Wednesday afternoon and track maintenance crews will be working around the clock to get the track in suitable condition for racing on Thursday.
Cancellations of races at Churchill Downs because of weather conditions are rare. The cancellation of Wednesday's card was the 22nd documented event in track history and seventh connected to a wintry mix. The last time racing was suspended because of winter weather was Nov. 19-20, 2014.
Churchill Downs said they intended to stage a 10-race card Thursday at 1 p.m.
Tuesday's live racing at Finger Lakes was canceled also due to the wintry weather. Racing at Mahoning Valley Race Course was abandoned after race four.
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