Snowstorm shuts Oaklawn

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Oaklawn Park canceled its nine-race card Wednesday after more than four inches of snow fell overnight in Hot Springs. The track also canceled training, and was not open for simulcasting. The last time Oaklawn canceled racing because of the weather was Feb. 13, 1997.

Officials decided to call off the card Wednesday morning.

"We have a lot of wet snow on the track and some potentially hazardous driving conditions in the region, which make it very unwise for us to even try to get open today," said Eric Jackson, the track's general manager.

Three of the races carded for Wednesday were brought back for Friday, including a $35,000 money allowance featuring the comeback of Sand Ridge, who has not raced since finishing second to Bonapaw in the $150,000 Iowa Sprint Handicap on July 4.

Racing was expected to resume Thursday.