Aqueduct cancels Friday card

With rain falling in the New York area, Aqueduct management has canceled Friday's card in order to ensure the best racing surface possible for Saturday's Wood Memorial program.

"The main track is tight, in good shape, but factoring in that it only opened for racing two days ago and that we have Aqueduct's best day of racing tomorrow, we are doing everything we can to ensure optimum racing conditions for our big Wood Memorial Day card," said New York Racing Association racing secretary P.J. Campo.

The rain started Thursday night and was forecast to continue on and off until Saturday morning.

Campo said "the track is sealed so moisture doesn't soak in," and that he was confident the surface would be in top shape for Saturday.

Because of the rain, the turf races on Saturday's Wood Memorial Day card have already been moved to the main track.

The Wood Memorial Day card features an all-stakes pick 4 with a $400,000 guaranteed pool.

Aqueduct remains open for simulcasting on Friday.