Over 400 wildfires burn in Canada including those in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec have left southern Ontario and parts of the northeastern United States shrouded in smoke. Many tracks began to cancel racing on Tuesday and Wednesday this week including Finger Lakes and Delaware Park. On June 7, Woodbine Entertainment canceled Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing for Thursday, June 8. Timed workouts at Woodbine were not permitted on Thursday morning.
Due to the Environment Canada Special Air Quality Alert for Southern Ontario, Woodbine Entertainment today announced that it is cancelling its Standardbred race card at Woodbine Mohawk Park and Thoroughbred race card at Woodbine Racetrack on Thursday, June 8 with the primary consideration being the health and safety of the horses and racing participants.
This decision is consistent with the advice Woodbine has received from veterinarians, medical practitioners, and other racing officials including the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
Woodbine will continue to monitor the situation and weather forecasts to determine whether it will proceed with live racing on Friday, June 9.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario issued recommendations to tracks earlier on June 7:
The health and welfare of equine athletes are of paramount concern to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and to members of the racing community. An effort to monitor weather conditions – including air quality – and how it will impact racehorses is in keeping with this mandate.
Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for parts of Ontario stating high levels of air pollution that have developed due to smoke from forest fires in Quebec and northeastern Ontario.
As such, in accordance with Standardbred Rule 21.01 and Thoroughbred Rule 14.05, the AGCO is recommending racetracks to cancel upcoming workouts, qualifiers, and races if the air quality health index (AQHI) is in the high risk (7-10) range. For current AQHI information in your area, please click here.
Racing at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York is questionable for Thursday, and the New York Racing Association is hoping the smoke dissipates before the big Belmont Stakes (G1) card on Saturday. Fox5 New York news had this report from Belmont.
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