Officials canceled racing Sept. 23 at Aqueduct Racetrack, Pimlico Race Course, and Delaware Park, due to high winds and significant rainfall forecast in portions of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
The National Weather Service is calling for sustained high winds with gusts up to 40 miles per hour and heavy rainfall throughout the day in the New York City metropolitan area. As a result, Saturday’s 10-race card has been canceled at Aqueduct in the interest of the safety of all participants.
Saturday’s featured $150,000 Noble Damsel Stakes (G3T) and $125,000 Ashley T. Cole Stakes will be brought back Sept. 29 with entries to be taken Sept. 24. Racing at Aqueduct is scheduled to resume on Sunday with a nine-race card featuring the $125,000 Joseph A. Gimma Stakes and the $125,000 Bertram F. Bongard Stakes. The Sunday card features a $62,293 Pick 6 carryover.
A Maryland Jockey Club release about Saturday’s cancelation at Pimlico did not state whether the program or racing date would be brought back. First post for Sunday’s 10-race program is 12:55 p.m. ET.
At Delaware, Saturday’s live racing date has been rescheduled for Nov. 3, a Friday. The revised daily live racing schedule is Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through the remainder of the meet, which is scheduled to close Nov. 4. Live racing is scheduled to resume Wednesday.
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The forecasted heavy rainfall and winds are due to the formation of Tropical Storm Ophelia on Friday afternoon. The strong tropical storm is set to pound the East Coast this weekend, bringing heavy rain in addition to strong gusty winds, some rough surf, and the potential for coastal flooding.
According to the National Weather Service, about an inch of rain and strong winds are forecast Saturday in Bensalem, Pa., where Parx Racing is set to host the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and Cotillion Stakes (G1) during their biggest annual day of racing.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
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