Saratoga cancels horse racing amid heat wave
It's first time since NYRA took over track in '55 that full day called off
 Rick Gargiulo / AP Michelle Gagnon of Canada walks through empty Saratoga on Wednesday morning after the track canceled all nine of its thoroughbred races because of high heat and humidity. |
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Saratoga Race Course canceled all nine of its thoroughbred races Wednesday because of high heat and humidity.
Trainers, jockeys, the track veterinarian and New York Racing Association officials unanimously decided to call off the day’s card.
“The consensus in the room was to take the ultimate precaution and cancel the entire card for the safety of all participants,” said NYRA senior vice president Bill Nader. “Racing will resume tomorrow and Friday’s card will be expanded to a 10-race program.”
While individual races have been canceled by severe weather in the past, Nader said this is the first elimination of a full card since NYRA took over operation of the 142-year-old track in 1955.
NYRA president Charles Hayward said extra ice and water was brought to the track and the health of horses in NYRA stables was good despite a heat index expected to reach 110.
NYRA expected a crowd of about 15,000 on Wednesday. Hayward said any lost wagering will be made up when the canceled races are added to cards on later dates.
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“At the end of the meet, we’ll have 35 days instead of 36, but we’ll have the same number of races,” he said.
The $150,000 New York Stallion Series Stakes will be added to the card Sunday and the $70,000 Ashado Stakes will be run Friday.
Officials at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, a harness track, said they were reviewing conditions before making a decision.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for the Albany area, including Saratoga Springs.
Delaware Park (Stanton, N.J.), Monmouth Park (Oceanport, N.J.) and Suffolk Downs (East Boston) also canceled racing Wednesday because of the heat wave.
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