Churchill Downs will not card any more turf races during the remainder of its November meet, out of “an abundance of caution,” per the track's overnights.
The statement in the overnights read:
“Out of an abundance of caution, there will be no turf racing at Churchill Downs through the remainder of the meet because the course has not satisfactorily responded to this fall's climate. Grass racing will resume next spring when the conditions become more optimum. As a result, there will be no turf entries taken for races scheduled to be run on turf from Nov. 25-29. All scheduled turf races in the condition book during this time period will be transferred to the main track and entries taken for the same conditions will be dirt only. Additionally, the $100,000 Cardinal (GIII) and $100,000 River City (GIII) will be put on hiatus this year.”
The announcement brings to a close what has already been a tumultuous fall meet for the Churchill Downs turf course. The track announced on Nov. 14 that it would be moving its turf races to the main track through Nov. 22. Races had already been taken off the turf on Nov. 13, and the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere Stakes was automatically downgraded to a Grade 3 when it was moved to the main track, and subject to review by the American Graded Stakes Committee for reinstatement to its original level.
The last turf race at Churchill Downs was the ninth race on Nov. 12, marred by the fatal injury to Grade 1 stakes-placed Winning Impression, who took a bad step at the finish and sustained a catastrophic leg injury as he was being pulled up.
The post Churchill Downs Ends Turf Racing For Remainder Of November Meet; Turf Graded Stakes Put ‘On Hiatus’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
