Gulfstream Cancels Racing April 13-14 Following Storm

Gulfstream Park canceled racing April 13-14 because of heavy rainfall and severe weather April 12 in South Florida that resulted in tornado warnings, flooded streets, and the closing of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and schools throughout the area.

Billy Badgett, executive director of Florida racing operations for 1/ST Racing, which operates Gulfstream, said 18 inches of rain fell at the track in a 2 1/2-hour time period on Wednesday, far more than forecasted by weather services. He said at 9 a.m. ET Thursday that he was not aware of any injuries to people or horses on-site.

"We're getting through it," he said. "They have pumps running right now on the backside. Obviously, the lower barn area is flooded, and we're just moving some horses around to the higher-level areas. It will be another three, four, or five hours before the water subsides."

Gulfstream was not open for training Thursday, though Badgett said the dirt and synthetic Tapeta surface withstood the extreme weather. Washouts to portions of racetracks can occur after heavy rain.

"We would have been able to race if we didn't get flooded," Badgett said.

Horsemen have been cooperative, Badgett said, and some horses have been sent to Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park's satellite training center in Boynton Beach, Fla. Badgett described Palm Meadows as "fine" after the storm, not having received the volume of rain that Gulfstream did.