Heavy fog forces cancellation of live racing Friday after Race 2 at Aqueduct

by NYRA Press Office

Live racing on Friday at Aqueduct has been canceled after Race 2 due to dense fog that has settled into the New York City metropolitan area, resulting in visibility-related concerns, despite improving track conditions following Thursday's cancellation.

“New York has been faced with a myriad of weather-related challenges over the past three weeks,” said Martin Panza, NYRA’s Senior Vice President of Racing Operations. “Despite the round-the-clock efforts of NYRA staff, these weather events have forced us to cancel all or parts of the last nine race cards. We thank our horsemen and women for their patience as we continue to do everything in power to conduct live racing programs at Aqueduct.”

Friday’s cancellation is the ninth in as many race days, dating back to December 30. Find more information on each below:

Saturday, December 30 (following Race 4): Canceled due to track conditions following snowfall

Sunday, December 31 and Monday, January 1: Canceled due to dangerously low wind chill values

Thursday, January 4 through Sunday, January 7: Canceled due to a severe winter storm, known as a “bomb cyclone,” followed by three days of extremely cold temperatures and dangerously low wind chill values

Thursday, January 11: Canceled due to track conditions following a rapid warming trend

Friday, January 12 (following Race 2): Canceled due to heavy fog

Belmont Café is closed on Friday, January 12, but Aqueduct Racetrack will remain open for simulcasting. Online wagering is also available at NYRABets.com.

There will be consolation payouts for Friday’s Pick 3 wagers. For the $1 Pick 3 beginning in Race 1, there is a consolation of $11.60, paying out to Hembree ($2.80, No. 5) in Race 1, Lillard Hall ($13.40, No. 2) in Race 2 and “ALL” in Race 3. For the $1 Pick 3 beginning in Race 2, there is a consolation of $6.20, paying out Lillard Hall ($13.40, No. 2) in Race 2 and “ALL” in Race 3 and Race 4.

All wagers on the Pick 5, as well as the Pick 4 beginning in Race 2, will be refunded.

Live racing is scheduled to resume at the Big A on Saturday, January 13 with a first post of 12:20 p.m. and featuring the first 2018 Kentucky Derby prep in New York, the $150,000 Jerome for newly-minted 3-year-olds at one mile.