Churchill Downs cancels Thursday card due to heat wave

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – More than 36 hours ahead of time, Churchill Downs announced Tuesday evening that they have canceled the nine-race card scheduled for Thursday afternoon because of an oppressive heat wave that is being forecast for this region.

Thursday was to begin the final four-day week of the 39-day spring meet with a 12:45 p.m. post time, but with the weather forecast calling for a high temperature of 104 degrees, the decision was made to cancel, Churchill spokesman John Asher said.

An 11-race twilight card Friday is set to begin at 2:45 p.m., but Asher said no decision has been made beyond Thursday. The forecasted high for Friday is 103 degrees.

“We’re taking it one day at a time and will continue to closely monitor the situation,” he said.

Saturday night (6 p.m.) and Sunday (12:45 p.m.) are scheduled to close out the meet with the Grade 3 Bashford Manor and Grade 2 Firecracker Handicap, respectively. The forecasted daytime highs for those respective days are 99 and 96.