by Pat McKenna
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has canceled live racing on Friday and Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack due to high winds and frigid temperatures forecast to impact the New York metropolitan area.
The National Weather Service (NWS), which aligns with forecasts provided by NYRA’s independent weather services, is calling for wind chill values between zero and 10 degrees on Friday with wind gusts up to 37 mph, while Saturday’s forecast includes wind chill values between eight and 10 degrees with sustained high winds throughout the day.
As a result, NYRA has canceled Friday’s eight-race card and Saturday’s nine-race card in the interest of the safety of all participants. Aqueduct Racetrack will remain open for simulcasting on Friday and Saturday, and online wagering is available through www.NYRABets.com.
Saturday’s featured Grade 3, $250,000 Withers, offering 20-8-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-five finishers, will be brought back on Saturday, February, 11. Entries for the Withers will be taken on Wednesday, February 8.
The co-featured $100,000 Ruthless will be brought back on Sunday, February 5, with entries to be taken today.
Live racing at Aqueduct will be conducted as scheduled this afternoon with Thursday’s eight-race card offering a first post of 12:50 p.m. Eastern.
For additional information on the winter meet at Aqueduct, as well as a complete stakes schedule, visit NYRA.com.