Storm halts Turfway training

Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., was closed for training on Friday morning after a powerful storm Thursday night inflicted widespread but minor damage to the track's barn area, officials of the track said.

The storm, which hit northern Kentucky on Thursday evening with driving rain and wind, damaged nearly every barn on the backstretch, according to Sherry Pinson, a spokeswoman for the track. No horses or humans were injured as a result of the damage, Pinson said.

"Counting the pony barn, we have 20 barns, and only two or three of them have no damage," Pinson said.

"The rest, there's damage ranging from a corner of a roof lifting back to half the roof gone to the rafters. There's debris all over."

About 700 horses are based at the track, which is open year-round for training.

Power lines were also downed in the storm, cutting off electricity to the backstretch. Pinson said she did not know when power to the backside would be restored.

Pinson said that no horses would need to be relocated as a result of the damage.

The track expected to reopen for training on Saturday, and was open for simulcasting on Friday.