Aqueduct cancels after first race

Aqueduct canceled the remainder of its Sunday card after the first race due to safety concerns created by high wind gusts.

"For the safety of everyone and the horses, we decided to cancel," said jockey John Velazquez, whose mount, Flushing Meadows finished fifth in the opener. "It's pretty rough around the turns and to have control of the horses, it makes it difficult. The track was beautiful. It's just that the wind was way too strong to have control of the horses.''

Bookmaster ($12.40) won the first race. There was a consolation daily double payout of $12.20 with Bookmaster and any horse in the second race.

Wind and heavy rained for the cancellation of Saturday's entire nine-race card.

The two stakes races scheduled for Sunday, the Tempted and Nashua, will now be run next Friday. The races will be re-drawn and open to original nominees and supplements.

Racing is scheduled to resume Wednesday at Aqueduct, weather permitting.