Severe winter conditions lingering from Winter Storm Fern, with wind chills driving temperatures into single digits in some areas of the United States, continue to force live racing cancellations across the eastern United States from Kentucky into the Northeast.
Oaklawn Park announced Jan. 27 the cancellation of its Jan. 30 - Feb. 1 racing programs. All affected race days and associated events will be rescheduled for the following weekend, Feb. 5-8, preserving one of the most significant racing weekends of the season.
The Southwest Stakes (G3) and its full supporting card, as originally drawn, will now be contested on Friday, Feb. 6.
The American Beauty Stakes will move to Saturday, Feb. 7, joining the Bayakoa Stakes (G3), which is expected to feature the highly anticipated 2026 debut of Nitrogen, the reigning Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old filly of last year.
The originally scheduled Friday, Jan. 30 card, will move to Thursday, February 5. Races originally planned for Sunday, Feb. 1, will be moved and run on Sunday, Feb. 8, an added race day.
"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."
New York
The New York Racing Association canceled racing from Wednesday, Jan. 28, through Friday, Jan. 30, at Aqueduct Racetrack due to arctic temperatures and extremely low wind chill values forecast to impact the New York metropolitan area.
NYRA, in consultation with the Jockeys' Guild, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, will request formal approval from the New York State Gaming Commission to conduct live racing Feb. 4, with additional make-up days to be determined at a later date.
Aqueduct Racetrack will be closed to the public Wednesday but will re-open for simulcast operations Jan. 29-30. Online wagering is available via NYRABets.com.
The $135,000 Ladies Stakes, originally scheduled for Jan. 17 and subsequently moved to Friday, will be brought back Saturday. Entries for Saturday's card will be taken Tuesday.
As previously announced, the $135,000 Interborough Stakes will be brought back Feb. 6, with entries to be taken Saturday.
NYRA will bring back races carded for Wednesday and Thursday as extras for Sunday and beyond, with entries commencing Wednesday.
The races currently offered in the condition book for Friday will be used for the proposed Wednesday, Feb. 4 program, with entries to be taken Thursday.
Kentucky
Turfway Park Racing & Gaming has canceled its Wednesday and Thursday programs due to severe winter weather in the Florence, Ky., area.
Officials from the National Weather Service are forecasting wind chill values to not rise above the single digits over the next 48 hours and dip as low as minus 11 degrees on Wednesday.
Turfway Park officials continue to monitor the forecast and will make a determination on Wednesday regarding Friday and Saturday's cards.
Other Thoroughbred Racetrack Cancellations per Equibase
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races: Wednesday, races 1-9
Parx Racing, Tuesday, all races
Hollywood Casino at Mahoning Valley Race Course: Tuesday, all races
Will Rogers Downs: Tuesday, all races
This story will be updated if more cancellations are announced.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
