Heavy rain causes cancellations at Aqueduct, Meadowlands
Heavy rain has again wreaked havoc on the Northeast racing calendar with both Aqueduct and the Meadowlands canceling their Friday programs. The Meadowlands, which is conducting an all-turf meet, has also canceled Saturday night’s program.
At Aqueduct, Friday’s 11-race program was canceled after 2.88 inches of rain fell in the New York metropolitan area overnight and more was expected throughout the day, and there is a flash flood warning for Ozone Park, according to the New York Racing Association.
It is the second cancellation due to weather this meet as the Sept. 23 card was also lost.
The Friday cancellation meant that for the second time in a week the Grade 3, $150,000 Noble Damsel and $125,000 Ashley T. Cole, both turf stakes, could not be run. The Ashley T. Cole Stakes will be run next Friday and redrawn Sunday. The Noble Damsel will be run Oct. 8 and redrawn Thursday.
Live racing is scheduled to resume Saturday at Aqueduct with an 11-race card beginning at 12:05 p.m. that is scheduled to include the Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic scheduled for 1 1/2 miles on turf. The card also includes the Grade 2, $400,000 Woodward Stakes, the Grade 2, $250,000 Vosburgh, and the Grade 2, $250,000 Gallant Bloom.
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