Belmont cancels racing over increasingly worse air quality

ELMONT, N.Y. — Belmont Park’s nine-race Friday card was canceled due to a rapid decline in air quality stemming from the Canadian wildfires. It is the second such cancellation in three weeks.

Belmont also canceled the June 8 card for the same reason.

Horses were tacked up and jockeys were in the paddock minutes before the opener, scheduled for 1:05 p.m. However, state and track officials decided that the air quality was getting worse and decided to call off the card.

A release regarding the cancellation said the decision was made in consultation with the New York State Equine Medical Director (Scott Palmer), NYRA management, and veterinary staff in the best interests of the safety of all participants.

According to Accuweather, the Air Quality Index in Elmont at 1 p.m. was 189, very close to the 200 figure established earlier this month by the New York State Gaming Commission that would prompt an automatic cancellation of racing and training.

The Air Quality Index was lower in the mornings which allowed training to go on as scheduled. There were 153 timed workouts at Belmont Friday morning.

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