Racing at Belmont Park was canceled July 20, which would have been the final day of the spring/summer meet.
According to a statement from the New York Racing Association, the cancellation was due to a lack of air conditioning in some parts of the facility, including the jockeys' room, because there was insufficient electricity as a result of transformer fire in the basement on Saturday, July 19. The fire resulted in a temporary evacuation, but the track re-opened and conducted its entire 10-race card. Fan access was restricted to the clubhouse area, since the fire was under the grandstand.
"By Sunday, sufficient electricity had not been restored to provide air conditioning to key areas, in particular the jockey room, which is located in the track basement and has no windows to provide ventilation," the statement said. "Given that factor and other intermittent electrical issues, the decision was made to cancel today’s live racing. Simulcast action, however, is being offered today."
NYRA reported the transformer will be repaired while the meet is conducted at Saratoga, which begins Wednesday, July 23.
