Winter Storm Leads to Cancellations at Aqueduct, Laurel

Citing conditions related to winter weather, Aqueduct Racetrack and Laurel Park canceled racing Jan. 7. Laurel also canceled Jan. 6.

New York City remains under a winter weather advisory, with the National Weather Service forecasting continued high winds and heavy snow into Friday afternoon. 

Laurel, which also scrapped racing and training through the weekend due to ongoing maintenance and a forecast for inclement weather Jan. 9, reported a winter storm swept through its region overnight and into Friday morning.

The Maryland track has also been dealing with the lingering effects of harsh weather that closed the track for training for a couple of days earlier in the week. No published workouts have taken place at Laurel since Jan. 2, according to Equibase data.

Track maintenance crews there are seeking to get the main track in top condition after the surface experienced problems in November, during a time when the track had a spike in equine breakdowns. Laurel canceled racing in early December while the track was evaluated by racing surface experts. It reopened in mid-December and approximately 2,000 tons of sand have been added to the racing surface.

The Maryland Jockey Club, which operates Laurel, will hold a meeting for local horsemen Jan. 8 at 10:00 a.m. ET in the Laurel track kitchen.  

In addition, MJC has arranged an on-side consultation Jan. 10 with track experts Glen Kozak from the New York Racing Association and Jamie Richardson of Churchill Downs.

Entries for Jan. 14 will be delayed from Sunday until Jan. 11.

With a race from Laurel a scheduled part of the weekly Stronach 5 wager, that bet has been canceled and will return Jan. 14. It is regularly offered on Fridays.