Rain forces NYRA to adjust racing schedule

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The heavy rains that hit the New York metropolitan area on Friday that forced the cancellation of that day’s racing card at Aqueduct, also will create a change in scheduling for the weekend and into next week.

The New York Racing Association announced that Saturday’s 11-race-card – which includes four graded stakes topped by the Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic – will be postponed and run Sunday, as drawn. The card includes the Grade 2 Woodward, Grade 2 Vosburgh, and Grade 2 Gallant Bloom. First post will remain at 12:05 p.m.

The 10-race card scheduled for Sunday will now be run Wednesday, a scheduled dark day, as drawn. The card includes the Grade 2, $200,000 Pilgrim Stakes and the Grade 2, $200,000 Miss Grillo Stakes – qualifiers for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, respectively. First post Wednesday is 1:05 p.m.

Approximately 2.88 inches of rain fell Thursday night into Friday morning and more rain was forecast throughout Friday and potentially lasting into Saturday morning. The area could see five inches of rain. There were flash flood watches near Aqueduct and throughout the five boroughs of New York City.

Aqueduct was open for simulcasting both Friday and Saturday.

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