Harness: Tracks cancel due to air quality issues

Air quality concerns from wildfires in Canada have forced some tracks to cancel on the east coast. Should additional track cancellations come in we will update this story with releases from each location.

For Wednesday, only Buffalo Raceway was forced to cancel. The card featured two New York Sire Stakes events and three Excelsior divisions. Those races will not be rescheduled as per the rules of the series:

Cancellation: Should circumstances prevent the racing of any Sire Stakes event, the monies and points will be prorated among owners of entered horses on the grounds for the uncontested event at the time of declaring off. The money will not be counted as money earned. The points will count towards the finals. The cancelled event will also count as a Sire Stakes start. Extenuating circumstances such as weather and labor disputes could be cause for rescheduling the final or consolation races, as per the NYSGC Rule 4114.3. All events shall be scheduled and run in cooperation with each licensee harness track in this state.

Thursday - Woodbine Mohawk Park

Due to the Environment Canada Special Air Quality Alert for Toronto, and consistent with the advice we have received from veterinarians, medical practitioners, and other racing officials including the AGCO, Woodbine has made the decision to cancel the race card on Thursday, June 8 with the primary consideration being the health and safety of the horses and racing participants. Woodbine has also cancelled Thursday’s Thoroughbred race card.

The Ontario Sires Stakes Gold event for 3-year-old filly trotters is postponed until Tuesday, June 13. Horses will not need to re-enter and post-positions will remain unchanged.

Woodbine will continue to monitor the situation and weather forecast and provide an update regarding live racing for Friday, June 9. It will also be confirmed tomorrow afternoon whether the 2-year-old qualifiers on Friday morning will proceed.

Thursday - Monticello Raceway

Due to the poor air quality Monticello has cancelled live racing for Thursday, June 8, 2023.

Live racing resumes Monday, June 12 with post time at 12:10 PM.

Thursday - Harrah's Philadelphia

Pennsylvania Harness Horseman's Association reported via Twitter at 7:11 PM Wednesday that racing has been canceled for Thursday due to anticipated poor air quality.

Thursday - Yonkers Raceway

The wildfire smoke from Canada continues to create hazardous air quality conditions throughout New York and the safety of our employees, horses, drivers and our guests is our number one priority. After carefully monitoring the AQI and following public health guidelines to limit outdoor activity, racing at Yonkers Raceway tonight (Thursday) will be cancelled. We will continue to monitor conditions closely and we look forward to resuming racing operations once air quality conditions improve to acceptable levels.