Snow, ice, bitter cold, and wind chill factors in single digits have put horse racing on hold this week at many tracks in the eastern United States, including Oaklawn Park in Arkansas and Aqueduct in New York.
With record snowfalls in some areas, and travel almost impossible due to flight cancellations and dangerous road conditions, Oaklawn Park on Jan. 27 canceled its Jan. 30-Feb. 1 cards, including Saturday’s Southwest Stakes (G3), a Kentucky Derby (G1) points qualifier.
The track announced that all affected race days will be rescheduled for next weekend (Feb. 5-8).
The Southwest, worth 20-10-6-4-2 points to the top five finishers, along with the Martha Washington Stakes, a Kentucky Oaks (G1) points qualifier, will be run on Friday, Feb. 6.
Also, the American Beauty Stakes will move to Saturday, Feb. 7, joining the Bayakoa Stakes (G3). The Bayakoa is expected to feature the 4-year-old debut of Nitrogen, the Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old filly.
The canceled Jan. 30 will now be run on Thursday, Feb. 6. Races planned for Sunday, Feb. 1, have been moved to Sunday, Feb. 8 (an added day of racing).
“We never take the decision to cancel racing lightly," said Louis Cella, president of Oaklawn. "However, the safety of our horses, jockeys, and all participants is always our top priority. We appreciate the understanding and flexibility of our fans and horsemen as we work to deliver an outstanding weekend of championship racing and host the richest road to the Kentucky Derby.”
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) canceled racing from Wednesday, Jan. 28, through Friday, Jan. 30, at Aqueduct due to arctic temperatures and dangerously low wind chills forecast for the New York City area.
In consultation with the Jockeys' Guild, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, NYRA is requesting approval from the New York State Gaming Commission to race on Feb. 4, with make-up days to be determined at a later date.
The $135,000 Ladies Stakes, originally scheduled for Jan. 17 and subsequently moved to Friday, will be brought back Saturday. As previously announced, the $135,000 Interborough Stakes will now be Feb. 6. NYRA will bring back races carded for Wednesday and Thursday (Jan. 29) as extras for Sunday and beyond.
Races scheduled for Friday (Jan. 30) will be used for the proposed program on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
Turfway Park canceled its Wednesday and Thursday programs due to severe winter weather in the area.
Officials from the National Weather Service forecasted wind chill numbers won’t get out of single digits over the next few days.
Racing at Turfway Park could also be canceled, but a determination has not yet been made. But track officials said that decision would come later Wednesday (Jan.28).
Other track cancellations included: Charles Town (Jan. 28-29); Parx Racing (Jan. 27-28); Mahoning Valley Race Course (Jan. 27-28);
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