Severe storms force cancellation of racing at Saratoga
by Pat Mckenna
A series of severe summer thunderstorms, complete with heavy rain and lightning, forced the cancellation of racing at Saratoga Race Course after the fifth race on Saturday, August 13.
Six races were cancelled, including the Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap and the Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack for 2-year-old fillies.
The Fourstardave will be rescheduled for Saturday, August 20, while the Adirondack will be rescheduled for Friday, August 19.
The track remained open for simulcasting.
In 2011, the entire card on August 27 was cancelled in advance of Hurricane Irene.
On August 8, 2008, racing was cancelled after the second race after a severe storm washed out part of the track.
Extreme heat on August 2, 2006 forced cancellation of the entire card.
The last race on Travers Day, August 28, 2004 was canceled because of heavy rain. Prior to that, the final two races on September 2, 1998 were canceled due to heavy rain.
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