Laurel postpones De Francis Dash, six other stakes to September 22

Laurel is postponing its slate of seven stakes scheduled for this Saturday, September 15, to September 22 in light of the impending arrival of major Hurricane Florence.

The affected races are the De Francis Memorial Dash (G3) and two other finals of the MATCH Series – the Laurel Dash and Sensible Lady Turf Dash – along with the Laurel Futurity, Selima, All Along, and Laurel Turf Cup.

“We believe it’s in the best interest of everyone to move the races,” Sal Sinatra, President and General Manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, said in the press release.

“With the MATCH series races and the De Francis, we’re hoping everyone can breeze this week and then, hopefully, have a great day and fast track on the following Saturday.

“We also reopened nominations through Wednesday (at midnight EDT) for those who said previously the races were coming up a little too soon.”

As a domino effect, five Virginia-bred stakes originally set for September 22 will be shifted to Sunday, September 23.

Laurel still plans to conduct its other races this weekend, obviously pending weather developments.

“But we will continue monitoring Hurricane Florence,” Sinatra said of the status of live racing at Laurel Saturday and Sunday.