Weather cancels Friday cards

Poor weather once again caused cancellations of racing cards around the country Friday.

Fair Grounds canceled its Friday card after heavy rain hit New Orleans on Thursday night and early Friday. Track officials cited standing water on the racing surface and widespread flooding in the area.

Fair Grounds doesn't plan to make up the lost day later this meet. Racing officials said three of Friday's lost races were coming back on the Sunday card here.

* Turfway Park canceled its entire card again Friday, the seventh straight weather-related cancellation at the track. Once again, the reason given by management was an "uneven thawing" of the racetrack surface. One official said the prospects for racing Saturday and Sunday "don't look good." Racing has not been conducted at Turfway since Feb. 12.

* Beulah Park canceled its program after the second race when jockeys refused to ride because of the track condition. Racing was scheduled to resume at Saturday, but the forecast called for more rain and snow.