Friday's Monmouth-at-Meadowlands opener canceled

The Friday opening card of the Monmouth-at-Meadowlands all-turf meet was canceled Tuesday afternoon due to wet conditions and the anticipation of more rain on the way.

It rained in Northern New Jersey on Sunday and Monday, and more precipitation is possible Wednesday. Hurricane Florence is forecast to come ashore in the Carolinas early Friday, and that storm could send high winds and additional moisture north.

John Heims, the director of racing at Monmouth Park and for the six-day Meadowlands season, said Saturday would now serve as the meet opener.

"The ground is already wet," Heims said. "We don’t think it will dry out by Friday, especially if we get more rain."

Heims said the Saturday card would be drawn Wednesday as scheduled. Some of the Friday condition-book races could be used Saturday.

In addition to Saturday, racing also is scheduled for the next two Fridays and Saturdays. First post is 7 p.m. Eastern. Six races a night are planned.

Last year, the Monmouth-at-Meadowlands meet consisted of eight cards. There were no cancelations.