Aqueduct, Laurel join Saturday cancellation list

The long cold lonely winter continued for tracks in the Northeast as Aqueduct and Laurel both canceled live racing Saturday with more snow on the way following a pair of storms earlier in the week.

Previously, it had been announced that Penn National, Charles Town, and Turfway Park had canceled their Saturday programs.

After getting battered with nearly a foot of snow Thursday into Friday, another two to four inches was forecast for Saturday in the New York area, beginning shortly after 11 a.m. That same storm was also expected to impact Laurel in Maryland.

For Aqueduct, it was the second straight canceled racing card and sixth full program lost to winter weather. Laurel was forced to cancel its third consecutive card, one that included the Grade 2, $300,000 Barbara Fritchie and the $100,000 John B. Campbell Stakes. Those two stakes have been re-scheduled for Feb. 22. Both races will open to original nominees and re-drawn on Wednesday.

Aqueduct will reschedule Saturday’s $100,000 Stymie Stakes, though no date was announced as of 8 a.m.

Live racing at Aqueduct is expected to resume on Sunday with a 10-race program.

Live racing at Laurel is expected to resume on Monday with a 10-race program that includes the Grade 3, $250,000 General George Handicap and $100,000 Maryland Racing Media Stakes.