Number of Tracks Announce Cancellations

In anticipation of Saturday's extreme winter weather conditions and out of caution for our equine athletes and their jockeys, the New York Racing Association has canceled live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack on Saturday, Jan. 23.

Aqueduct will remain open for simulcasting on Saturday. The Belmont Café will be closed on Saturday, January 23. Internet wagering will continue to be available at NYRA.com, and through the mobile site m.NYRA.com.

Saturday's scheduled Aqueduct winter hat and glove giveaway has been moved to Saturday, January 30. 

Saturday's scheduled running of the Busanda Stakes has been moved to Sunday, January 31.

Live racing at Aqueduct is scheduled to resume on Sunday, Jan. 24.  NYRA continues to closely monitor weather forecasts and will provide updates should further action be necessary regarding Sunday's scheduled race card.

* Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots canceled its scheduled night card Friday, Jan. 23. Race caller John Dooley tweeted that the jockeys voted not to ride the nine-race card because of high winds.

* Laurel Park canceled its Friday, Jan. 22 program after the fifth race for the safety of its customers, employees, jockeys, horses, and horsemen. Laurel previously announced the cancellation of its Saturday and Sunday programs. Laurel and Pimlico Race Course will be closed for simulcasting Saturday.

Racing is expected to resume Monday at Laurel at 12:25 p.m.. The first race will have a Super Hi 5 carryover of $16,096.23.

"We met with the horsemen this morning," said Sal Sinatra, president of the Maryland Jockey Club. "We told them as soon as (the storm started) we were going to call the races. We're going to seal the track, roll it, pack it tight, and then just wait. It's supposed to end late Saturday night, so I think we're going to be OK Monday."

* Oaklawn Park management and horsemen made the unanimous decision to cancel Friday's nine-race card after rain and snow left the track too saturated for racing. 

"The safety of the horses and riders is always our first concern," said director of racing David Longinotti. "There was nearly an inch of rain Thursday followed by an inch of snow. Our track crew will continue working the track. With cold temperatures expected tonight, we and the horsemen felt it was more prudent to keep working the track to insure its readiness for the weekend."

Live racing is scheduled to resume Saturday with a 1 p.m. first post highlighted by the $100,000 American Beauty Stakes.  Oaklawn remains open for gaming and simulcast racing. 

* Due to the anticipated extreme winter weather expected to produce significant snowfall and high winds, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has canceled live racing Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22-23.

Entries for the next scheduled program Jan. 28 typically would have been taken Saturday but will instead be taken Jan. 25.

Pending further weather developments, the facility will remain open for simulcasting as originally scheduled on Friday, with plans to close for simulcasting on Saturday at approximately 8 p.m. EST.

Charles Town currently conducts live racing Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. First post time moves to 7 p.m. beginning Jan. 28.

* Due to the approaching winter storm, Turfway Park canceled live racing for Friday, Jan. 22. Live music also has been canceled. The track remains open for simulcasting, starting at 11:15 am ET and closing early at 8:00 pm.

* Penn National Race Course has canceled live racing Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22-23.

* Churchill Downs has canceled simulcast wagering for Friday, Jan. 22. 

* Monmouth Park will be closed for simulcasting on Saturday, Jan. 23 as the State of New Jersey prepares for large amounts of snow. In addition, Favorites OTB at Woodbridge and Hillsborough will also be shuttered this Saturday. Presently, all three facilities are scheduled to reopen on Sunday, Jan. 24.