The New York Racing Association distributed the following statement Friday morning:
Following significant improvement in air quality conditions throughout New York State, and in consultation with the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC), the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced that live racing will resume at Belmont Park today at 12:50 p.m.
Friday's 11-race card, which is highlighted by five graded stakes, raises the curtain on the 2023 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival after poor air quality forced the cancelation of Thursday's twilight racing program and the closure of Belmont and Saratoga Race Course for training.
In addition to the resumption of live racing, both Belmont and Saratoga re-opened for training earlier this morning. Moving forward, NYRA will continue to actively monitor air quality conditions and forecasts to ensure the environment remains safe for racing participants and fans this weekend.
The 155th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets headlines a blockbuster card of racing on Saturday, June 10, which will include nine graded stakes in total. First post on Saturday is 11:20 a.m.
Woodbine issued this statement Friday:
Woodbine Entertainment has announced that live racing will resume this afternoon (June 9) at Woodbine Racetrack.
With the air quality health index for the Toronto area forecasted as 'moderate-risk' for Friday, June 9, Woodbine will proceed with this afternoon's card of live racing. This decision is consistent with the guidelines the AGCO issued earlier this week.
Live Standardbred racing will also resume tonight at Woodbine Mohawk Park (Milton, Ontario).
As of Friday morning, the air-quality health index is forecasted to further improve into Saturday. Woodbine will continue to monitor the weather forecast and provide any updates as required.
Post time for today's card at Woodbine Racetrack is 1:10 p.m.
According to a tweet from Georganne Hale, vice president of racing development for the Maryland Jockey Club, training will go on as usual at Laurel and Pimlico today, with live racing planned at Laurel.
The post As Air Quality Ratings Improve, Live Racing For Belmont, Woodbine, Laurel Is On appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
