Severe heat leads to racing cancelations

Laurel Park, Parx Racing, Delaware Park, and Finger Lakes have canceled their Saturday races due to expected high temperatures and humidity that are expected to persist in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast this weekend.

Laurel also has canceled its Sunday races.

Saratoga has canceled its Saturday card and will now run Saturday's races on Sunday.

The Mid-Atlantic region is expected to have Saturday temperatures in the high 90s and humidity could result in heat indexes approaching 110.

Canandaigua in upstate New York, where Finger Lakes is located, is forecast to have a high temperature of 92 and a heat index of 105. The New York Derby, which was scheduled to be run Saturday, will be rescheduled.

The canceled Delaware card will be made up on Thursday, Oct. 3.

Monmouth Park has put in extreme weather protocols on its Saturday card, which includes six stakes, topped by the Haskell Invitational.

Monmouth, which is located several miles from the ocean, is expected to be more temperate than inland areas. The Accuweather forecast calls for a high temperature of 93 on Saturday.

The protocols include having extra emergency medical technicians on hand to help people affected by the heat; having ice containers positioned throughout the track and along the path where the horses walk to the paddock; having additional hoses accessible for horses before and after the races; and having a misting system in the paddock.

Additionally, post parades will be shortened if necessary and water trucks will be equipped to hose down any horses in distress on the track.

If necessary, races will be pushed back until later in the afternoon when temperatures will be lower.

The Haskell Invitational is scheduled to go off at 5:47 p.m. Eastern and be televised live on NBC from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., but post times will be altered even if it impacts NBC being able to show the race, according to track officials.

Ellis Park, located in Henderson, Ky., and Belterra Park, in Cincinnati, Ohio, have canceled racing set for Friday and Saturday.