Due to torrential rains, flash flood warnings, and hazardous conditions, racing on Friday and Saturday was canceled at Aqueduct Racetrack, with Saturday’s stellar card moved to Sunday (Oct. 1), and Sunday’s card moved to Wednesday (Oct. 4).
Aqueduct Racetrack – Photo courtesy of Coglianese photos / BloodHorse
The $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1), along with the $400,000 Woodward (G2), the $250,000 Gallant Bloom (G2), and the $250,000 Vosburgh (G2) are the feature races that will now be contested a day later than originally scheduled.
The Vosburgh, featuring champion and heavy favorite Cody’s Wish, is a “Win and You’re In’’ race for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita on Nov. 4.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Qualifiers Face Rainy Midweek Shift – Pilgrim (G2) and Miss Grillo (G2)
The Sunday card moved to Wednesday includes the $200,000 Pilgrim (G2) and the $200,000 Miss Grillo (G2), qualifiers for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, respectively.
Nearly three inches of rain fell in the in the New York metropolitan area Thursday night into Friday and rain was forecast to last into Saturday morning.
The fields for all races will remain as drawn.
Hall of Famer Bill Mott, who trains Cody’s Wish and sends out War Like Goddess in the Joe Hirsch and Caramel Swirl in the Gallant Bloom, as well as Gala Brand in the Miss Grillo, and Get Spooled in the Pilgrim, didn’t seem concerned with the adjustments, telling bloodhorse.com that it’s “a minor bump in the road.
“I’m hoping for a safe track and good weather.”