Many tracks in the Northeast canceled their cards for Saturday and Sunday
after a winter storm produced heavy snowfall, high winds and freezing
conditions. Those canceled for Saturday are Aqueduct, Beulah Park, Charles Town,
Laurel Park, Mountaineer, Penn National, Philadelphia Park and Turfway Park.
Officials at Aqueduct, Charles Town, Mountaineer and Philadelphia Park also
called off racing for Sunday.
Laurel Park was set to open for the first time in 10 months on Saturday, but
the storm hit in the morning hours and is expected to continue throughout the
day, becoming heavy in the afternoon. Winds are forecasted to reach 20 to 30
miles per hour on Sunday with gusts reaching up to 40 miles per hour.
Simulcasting at Laurel and Pimlico was also canceled.
“We are extremely disappointed because we have been looking forward to the
grand reopening for quite some time,” said Lou Raffetto, the chief
operating
officer for the Maryland Jockey Club. “We are going to protect the track from
the storm, so that it remains in great shape.”
The opening day promotions at Laurel, including free admission and programs,
will take place next Saturday, as will the opening day stakes, the $50,000 What
a Summer S. Racing at Laurel is expected to resume on Wednesday.
Aqueduct officials have rescheduled the Aqueduct H. (G3), which was set for
Saturday, to January 30 and will re-open the 8 1/2-furlong test to original
nominations. The Pick 6 carryover of $25,775 will be offered on Wednesday, when
live racing is expected to start again.
Beulah Park, which hasn’t had live racing since officials canceled the final
seven races on Wednesday, called off racing on Friday and Saturday. A return to
racing is set for Monday.