Cancellations, Changes Related to Winter Storm Continue

Severe winter conditions lingering from Winter Storm Fern, with wind chills driving temperatures into single digits in some areas of the United States, continue to force live racing cancellations across the eastern United States from Kentucky into the Northeast.

Oaklawn Park announced Jan. 27 the cancellation of its Jan. 30-Feb. 1 racing programs. All affected race days and associated events will be rescheduled for the following weekend, Feb. 5-8, preserving one of the most significant racing weekends of the season.

The Southwest Stakes (G3) and its full supporting card, as originally drawn, will now be contested Friday, Feb. 6.

The American Beauty Stakes will move to Saturday, Feb. 7, joining the Bayakoa Stakes (G3), which is expected to feature the highly anticipated 2026 debut of Nitrogen , the reigning Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old filly of last year.

The originally scheduled Friday, Jan. 30 card, will move to Thursday, February 5. Races originally planned for Sunday, Feb. 1, will be moved and run on Sunday, Feb. 8, an added race day.

"We never take the decision to cancel racing lightly," said Louis Cella, president of Oaklawn. "However, the safety of our horses, jockeys, and all participants is always our top priority. We appreciate the understanding and flexibility of our fans and horsemen as we work to deliver an outstanding weekend of championship racing and host the richest road to the Kentucky Derby."

New York

The New York Racing Association canceled racing through Friday at Aqueduct Racetrack due to arctic temperatures and extremely low wind chill values forecast to impact the New York metropolitan area. Then on Jan. 29, NYRA additionally announced the cancellation of live racing on Saturday and Sunday.

NYRA, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, and New York Thoroughbred Breeders will request approval from the New York State Gaming Commission to conduct four additional days of live racing on Feb. 11, Feb. 19, Feb. 26, and March 5.  

An additional card for Feb. 4, which was previously approved by the NYSGC, was drawn Thursday with live racing set to resume at the Big A Wednesday with a 1:10 p.m. ET first post.

The four stakes initially slated for Saturday will be brought back Friday, Feb. 6. These include the $200,000 Withers Stakes, a 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifier; the $200,000 Toboggan Stakes; $135,000 Ruthless Stakes; and the $135,000 Ladies Stakes. 

As previously announced, the $135,000 Interborough will also be brought back Feb. 6. Entries for the Feb. 6 program will be taken Saturday.

In addition, NYRA will release a new schedule for stakes races impacted by weather cancellations and a modified condition book in the coming days.

Kentucky

Turfway Park Racing & Gaming has canceled its programs through Saturday due to severe winter weather and continued subzero wind chill in the Florence, Ky., area. Racing is scheduled to resume Wednesday, Feb. 4.

The $125,000 Wishing Well Stakes, originally scheduled for Friday, will be held Feb. 6 with nominations are due by Jan. 29. The $125,000 Forego Stakes, originally scheduled for Saturday, will be held Feb. 13 with nominations closing Jan. 31.

Other Thoroughbred Racetrack Cancellations per Equibase

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races: Thursday and Friday, all races. With the intent to race Saturday, Charles Town has moved up its first post time to 2 p.m. ET. It typically races in the evening.

Hollywood Casino at Mahoning Valley Race Course: Thursday, all races

This story will be updated if more cancellations are announced.