Racing cancellations due to poor air quality caused by Canadian wildfires continued on Friday, with Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Woodbine in Toronto, Canada, and Laurel Park in Laurel, Md., all announcing their live racing programs have been called off.
Following is the statement from NYRA:
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has canceled live racing Friday at Belmont Park due to a rapid decline in air quality late this morning.
This decision was made in consultation with the New York State Equine Medical Director, NYRA management and veterinary staff in the best interests of the safety of all participants.
The indoor facilities at Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack will remain open for simulcasting on Friday. Wagering is also available via the NYRA Bets app, available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.
Live racing is scheduled to resume on Saturday at Belmont Park with a 10-race card, featuring the Grade 3, $200,000 Dwyer in Race 6 and the Grade 2, $250,000 John A. Nerud in Race 9. First post is 1:05 p.m. Eastern.
Following is the statement from Woodbine:
Woodbine Entertainment has announced today's card of live racing at Woodbine Racetrack is cancelled due to poor air quality.
Environment Canada's air quality index for Toronto is listed as 'High Risk' and is expected to remain at this level throughout Friday. Woodbine's decision to cancel comes through consultation with the HBPA and is consistent with the AGCO's air quality guidelines.
Woodbine will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as required.
The next card of live racing is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 1:10 p.m.
Laurel Park announced its cancellation via a Tweet from the Maryland Jockey Club account:
Due to poor air quality, live racing has been canceled today. Today's card will be moved to Thursday, July 6.
— Maryland Jockey Club (@LaurelPark) June 30, 2023
According to a 9 a.m. ET reading on the Airnow.gov website, the air quality index (AQI) reading for Laurel, Md., was 153, considered “unhealthy” by the Environmental Protection Agency. It was as high as 197 on Thursday at 1 p.m., according to Airnow.gov.
Following is a statement from the Maryland Jockey Club:
Due to poor air quality in the Mid-Atlantic region caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires, the Maryland Jockey Club has canceled Friday's live program at Laurel Park.
The entire 10-race program has been moved, as is, to Thursday, July 6, with a post time of 12:25 p.m.
Laurel will remain open for simulcasting.
Live racing will resume Saturday to kick off the month of July featuring 11 stakes worth $1.075 million in purses.
There will be carryovers of $11,438.28 in the 20-cent Rainbow 6 and $10,380.34 in the $1 Jackpot Super High Five. The Rainbow 6 sequence spans Races 5-10 and includes all three of Saturday's stakes – the $100,000 Concern for 3-year-olds sprinting seven furlongs on the main track (Race 9), $100,000 Laurel Dash for 3-year-olds and up (Race 8) and $75,000 Jameela for Maryland-bred/sired fillies and mares 3 and older (Race 6), both scheduled for six furlongs on the Fort Marcy turf course.
Stakes winners Coffeewithchris, exiting the 148th Preakness Stakes (G1) May 20, and Prince of Jericho, second in the Chick Lang (G3) on the Preakness undercard, will renew their rivalry in the Concern. Mid Day Image will be favored to run his win streak to four in the Laurel Dash over fellow stakes winners Witty, Grateful Bred and Smokin' Jay.
Spun Glass will attempt to defend her title in the Jameela and make trainer Mike Trombetta the first to win it three straight years, but will face challenges from stablemate Hollywood Walk as well as Can the Queen, whose three career stakes wins have come at historic Pimlico Race Course.
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