Aqueduct will add races to make up for cancellations

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Despite having to cancel six cards this winter, the New York Racing Association does not plan to add any racing days over the final two weeks of March. Instead, the NYRA will add races to already scheduled cards.

For example, there will be 10 races on Friday, including three that had been carded for last Saturday. Racing officials hope to run 10 races on Saturday and Sunday as well.

March has typically been a difficult month to fill races at Aqueduct, which is why since 2017 the race week in March has been shortened to three days.

“March is a tough month,” said Keith Doleshel, NYRA’s racing secretary. “At the end of the day, you don’t get an influx of horses until April or May.”

Doleshel said there also are “staffing issues” regarding security and mutuel clerks that make it difficult to add days on short notice.

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There are three-day race weeks this week and next. Thursdays return to the racing calendar starting March 31, the beginning of the 15-day spring meet that runs through April 24.