Heat Continues to Wreak Havoc Across the Country

[Wandering Eyes]

A heatwave gripping the Eastern two-thirds of the United States has forced the cancellation of racing at several venues in the midwest and eastern parts of the country Saturday, while officials at Arlington Park in suburban Chicago will allow racing to go forward as planned with heat protocols in place.

With heat indices forecast to be around 110 degrees, Finger Lakes announced Thursday that Saturday’s program would be scrapped. The track announced Friday that the $150,000 New York Derby and $75,000 New York Oaks would take place Wednesday, July 24. Saratoga officials also announced the cancellation of Saturday racing on Thursday, with the Saturday card to be shifted to Sunday as is, with the GIII Shuvee S. capping the program.

Delaware Park, Laurel and Parx will also be closed Saturday.

Live racing scheduled for Saturday at Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky, was cancelled Friday, with the expectation that both the air temperature and heat index would exceed that of Friday, when racing was also called off. Track officials are optimistic of opening for business Sunday. Belterra Park in greater Cincinnati will also be closed.

In a tweet Friday afternoon, Arlington officials declared that racing would go on as scheduled Saturday and Sunday afternoon, following protocols provided by state veterinarians that were created by the US Olympic Organization and by the US Polo Association for equine competition in high heat. According to the post, “horses are under diligent observation of private, state and track veterinarians and are under the constant care of professional racehorse trainers who have made the decision to race.”

Additional protocols provide for water, cooling stations, drinking stations, limiting the amount of time on the track and extra staff.

 

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