Live harness racing has been cancelled for Thursday, June 8 at some racetracks in North America due to poor air quality.
Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ont. announced it would be cancelling its Thursday program yesterday followed by Harrah's Philadelphia in Chester, Pennsylvania, Monticello Raceway in Monticello, New York and Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers, New York announcing cancellations today.
After cancelling training and schoolers earlier this week, the National Capital Region Harness Horse Association reported on Thursday morning that live racing will proceed today at Ottawa's Rideau Carleton Raceway, stating, "The air index will not exceed 3 today, therefore our Thursday program will be conducted as per usual -- first post 4 p.m."
Trot Insider will update this notice if there are any further Thursday cancellations.
Mohawk's Thursday Card Cancelled
Due to the Environment Canada Special Air Quality Alert for Toronto, and consistent with the advice of veterinarians, medical practitioners and other racing officials including the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, Woodbine has made the decision to cancel the Mohawk Park race card on Thursday, June 8 with the primary consideration being the health and safety of the horses and racing participants.
The Ontario Sires Stakes Gold event for three-year-old filly trotters is postponed until Tuesday, June 13. Horses will not need to re-enter and post positions will remain unchanged.
Woodbine will continue to monitor the situation and weather forecast and provide an update regarding live racing for Friday, June 9. It will also be confirmed Thursday afternoon whether the two-year-old qualifiers on Friday morning will proceed.
Woodbine has also cancelled Thursday’s Thoroughbred race card.
Harrah’s Philadelphia Cancels Thursday Races
Harrah’s Philadelphia has cancelled live racing for Thursday, June 8 due to the anticipated air quality from the Canadian wildfires.
Live harness racing is expected to resume on Friday, June 9.
Monticello Cancels Thursday Program
Live racing from Monticello has been cancelled for Thursday, June 8 due to unsafe levels of smoke from the fires in Canada.
Racing is scheduled to resume on Monday, June 12, with post time at 12:10 p.m.
Thursday Card Cancelled At Yonkers
The Thursday, June 8 live racing program at Yonkers Raceway has been cancelled.
On Thursday, Yonkers Raceway issued the following statetment about the cancellation: "The wildfire smoke from Canada continues to create hazardous air quality conditions throughout New York and the safety of our employees, horses, drivers and guests is our number one priority. After carefully monitoring the AQI and following public health guidelines to limit outdoor activity, MGM Resorts along with the New York Gaming Commission and the Standardbred Owners Association have made the decision to cancel racing at Yonkers Raceway tonight. We will continue to monitor conditions closely, and we look forward to resuming racing operations once air quality conditions improve to acceptable levels."
(With files from racetrack media)