While the eighth-race pacers were taking their final score before going to the gate at Plainridge Park, a severe storm blew into the area and forced the cancellation of the rest of the races for Tuesday afternoon (May 15). There were four more contests scheduled to be run.
With a severe thunderstorm warning posted by the National Weather Service until 9:00 p.m., torrents of rain and steady lightning engulfed most of eastern Massachusetts by 6:30 p.m., and with no letup in sight, the welfare of the horses and horsepeople became the main priority of the track.
“Due to a severe thunder and lightning storm, we were forced to cancel the remainder of today’s card at Plainridge. The safety of everyone involved was the main reason for the cancellation as lightning and darkness overtook the area,” said Director of Racing Steve O’Toole.
Live racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (May 17) with post time for the first race at 4:00 p.m.
(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)