Extreme Heat Forces Numerous Racing Cancellations

Woodbine and Laurel Park have canceled live racing for July 27-28 due to extreme heat, and Ellis Park,Colonial Downs and Belterra Park further announced upcoming heat-related cancellations. Ellis Park and Colonial Downs will not race on Friday or July 29. Without redrawing, Ellis Park will move those cards to Monday, July 31, and Tuesday, Aug. 1, respectively, when temperatures are expected to be lower. Friday's races at Colonial Downs will be brought back as drawn on Wednesday, Aug. 2, and an additional race date is to be announced to account for Saturday's program. Belterra Park has canceled racing for July 28 but will resume July 29 with a first post of 11:25 a.m. In consultation with veterinarians and horsemen, Woodbine made the decision to cancel Thursday's eight live Thoroughbred races as a precaution for equine welfare and the safety of all racing participants, the track announced. Woodbine will continue to monitor the weather and forecast to determine whether they will proceed with racing on Friday. Woodbine reported that Thursday's races will be either rescheduled for Sunday, July 30, or added to the next few race cards. An update on the live racing schedule will be provided Friday morning. Meanwhile, the Maryland Jockey Club moved Friday's entire live nine-race program at Laurel Park to Thursday, Aug. 3, due to excessive heat forecast for the Mid-Atlantic region. Dangerous high heat indices are forecast for much of the United States and into portions of Canada this week. According to the National Weather Service, extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those participating in outdoor activities. Live racing is scheduled to resume Saturday at Laurel Park, featuring five stakes worth $500,000 in purses headlined by the $150,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up, which attracted a field of seven including grade 3 winners Wondrwherecraigis and Lightening Larry. Also on the 10-race card are the $100,000 Deputed Testamony Stakes for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles; $100,000 Alma North Stakes, a 6 1/2-furlong dash for fillies and mares 3 and older; and the $75,000 Star de Naskra Stakes for 3-year-olds and $75,000 Miss Disco for 3-year-old fillies, both sprinting seven furlongs and restricted to Maryland-bred and Maryland-sired horses.