Heavy Rain, Poor Air Quality Could Affect Big Race Days at Belmont, Ellis, Woodbine

By US Racing Team

On the day before big racing cards at Belmont Park, Ellis Park, and Woodbine, the weather – and poor air quality – could be a major factor in betting strategy.

And that’s if the races are run at all. On Friday, Belmont in Elmont, New York, Woodbine Racetrack in Ontario, Canada, and Laurel Race Track in Maryland, canceled racing due to poor air quality stemming from the Canadian wildfires.

In Henderson, Kentucky, the weather forecast as of midday Friday (June 30) did not look good for Saturday (July 1) -- the biggest day of racing in Ellis Park history.

With the $1 million Stephen Foster (G1) and a pair of Grade 2s – the Wise Dan and the Fleur de Lis -- on the card, the weather report was predicting heavy rain at times with thunder and temperatures between 91 degrees and 96 degrees at 4 p.m. ET; the 7 p.m. forecast has a temperature drop to the mid 70s with winds picking up to 21 mph and heavy rain at times. There is an overall 70% chance of rain on Saturday.

First post at Ellis Park is 12:45 p.m. ET; the Stephen Foster goes off at 5:26 p.m.; the Wise Dan on turf goes off at 4:55; and the Fleur de Lis goes off at 4:22 p.m.

The Dwyer (G3) and the John A. Nerud (G2) are the top races at Belmont on Saturday, with the 10-race card scheduled to go on as planned. First post is 1:05 p.m. ET.

The Nassau (G2), featuring 2022 Canadian Horse of the Year Moira, the Highlander (G2), the Dominion Day, the Marine (G3), the Selene (G3) top the 11-race card at Woodbine. The track said it would continue to watch the air quality index, which is listed at “high risk” in Toronto through Friday.

First post at Woodbine is 1:10 p.m.

US Racing Team

The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.