Laurel Park cancels Saturday; stakes rescheduled for Thursday

With a winter storm approaching, Laurel Park on Friday evening canceled its Saturday race card.

The Laurel racing surface has been stuck in a freeze/thaw mode all week, and Friday night’s storm is expected to include freezing rain and sleet.

“Given the questionable surface we have had all week with the freeze and thaw and pending sleet and freezing rain tonight, it is in the best interest to preserve the racetrack,” said Sal Sinatra, general maneger of the Maryland Jockey Club.

Laurel also canceled racing on Friday due to an uneven racing surface and last Monday following a Sunday storm that included freezing rain and snow.

The two 3-year-old stakes that were scheduled for Saturday, the $100,000 Frank Whiteley Jr. and the $100,000 Marshua Stakes, will be brought back Thursday. Entries for them will be taken Saturday.

The racing schedule for the coming week will be Thursday through Sunday.