Laurel Cancels Live Racing Monday

Having returned from a brief hiatus with a full program Sunday, Jan. 16, Laurel Park was forced to cancel its holiday racing card Monday due to the lingering effects of a winter storm that swept through the Midlantic region Sunday.

The Maryland track was closed for 18 days in late autumn over safety and weather-related concerns despite the installation of a new multi-million surface. No live racing had been held since Jan. 2 prior to Sunday. A 30-minute video conference was held with members of the Maryland racing community and track executives Jan. 11 to discuss the timeline for a return to racing. Trainers were largely in favor of a sooner-than-later approach, even with the knowledge of the approaching weather system, as opposed to a more conservative plan that would have seen racing delayed to Thursday, Jan. 20.

Racing is scheduled to resume Thursday at Laurel.