While most of the country has endured large amounts of snow and subfreezing temperatures this winter, these weather systems have moved east to impact every facet of life including horse racing at major tracks. For the safety of the horses and people who ride them, decisions were made to pause cards for a day.
The Maryland Jockey Club canceled its Monday’s special 10-race Martin Luther King Jr. holiday program due to lingering effects of a winter storm that brought snow, sleet and freezing rain to the region.
Live racing returned to Laurel with a 10-race program Thursday, Jan. 20. Saturday’s 10-race-card offers full fields of eight to 10 entries. Post time 12:10 pm.
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) canceled its Friday’s live racing program at Aqueduct Racetrack due to extremely cold weather forecast in the New York City metropolitan area.
The National Weather Service forecast, which aligns with NYRA’s independent weather services, is calling for extremely cold temperatures with the potential for wind chill values near zero. As a result, NYRA officials made the decision to cancel Friday’s eight-race card in the interest of the safety of all participants.
Aqueduct Racetrack will remain open for simulcasting.
Live racing at Aqueduct will resume on Saturday, January 22 with a nine-race card featuring the $100,000 Jazil and the $100,000 Franklin Square. First post on Saturday is 12:20 p.m. Eastern.
NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.
Maryland Jockey Club and NYRA Press Releases/Edited
Photo of Laurel Park courtesy of Scott Wykoff
