Laurel Latest Track to Cancel Amid Frigid Conditions

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 portions of the United States. Laurel Park in Maryland is the latest track to cancel racing, calling off its Jan. 30 card after one race, citing frigid temperatures. It postponed its Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 racing programs, as well. The original card for Saturday, highlighted by the $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes for 3-year-olds and the $100,000 Xtra Heat Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, has been moved to Wednesday, Feb. 4. The one previously planned for Sunday has been moved to Thursday, Feb. 5. Laurel Park will run a Wednesday-through-Sunday schedule next week. The first post time is noon ET. Arkansas Oaklawn Park announced Jan. 27 the cancellation of its race week, beginning Jan. 30 and continuing through Feb. 1. 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 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 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 through Friday at Aqueduct Racetrack due to arctic temperatures and extremely low wind chill values forecast to impact the New York metropolitan area. Then on Jan. 29, NYRA additionally announced the cancellation of live racing on Saturday and Sunday. NYRA, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, and New York Thoroughbred Breeders will request approval from the New York State Gaming Commission to conduct four additional days of live racing on Feb. 11, Feb. 19, Feb. 26, and March 5. An additional card for Feb. 4, which was previously approved by the NYSGC, was drawn Thursday with live racing set to resume at the Big A on Wednesday with a 1:10 p.m. ET first post. The four stakes initially slated for Saturday will be brought back Friday, Feb. 6. These include the $200,000 Withers Stakes, a 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifier; the $200,000 Toboggan Stakes; the $135,000 Ruthless Stakes; and the $135,000 Ladies Stakes. As previously announced, the $135,000 Interborough will also be brought back Feb. 6. Entries for the Feb. 6 program will be taken Saturday. In addition, NYRA will release a new schedule for stakes races impacted by weather cancellations and a modified condition book in the coming days. Kentucky Turfway Park Racing & Gaming has canceled its programs through Saturday due to severe winter weather and continued subzero wind chill in the Florence, Ky., area. Racing is scheduled to resume Wednesday, Feb. 4. The $125,000 Wishing Well Stakes, originally scheduled for Friday, will be held Feb. 6 with nominations are due by Jan. 29. The $125,000 Forego Stakes, originally scheduled for Saturday, will be held Feb. 13 with nominations closing Jan. 31. Other Thoroughbred Racetrack Cancellations Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races: Friday, Saturday—all races. Sunland Park: Friday, all races. This story will be updated if more cancellations are announced.