Deluge Forces Gulfstream to Abandon Card

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(from Gulfstream Park)

A daylong deluge in South Florida March 22 led to the cancellation of  the remainder of the program at Gulfstream Park after the day’s sixth race.

It was the second time during the current meet that Gulfstream officials were forced to cancel part of its live race program. Racing was canceled after the first race Feb. 13 when storms struck and washed out the remainder of that card.

The fourth and sixth races March 22 were rained off the turf and run on the sloppy main track. It was the 16th day of the meet requiring a surface change from grass to main track.

“The safety of horse and rider are always of paramount concern to us and once again conditions were such that the only prudent course of action was to keep everyone safe by canceling the remainder of the card,” said Bernie Hettel, racing operations manager of Gulfstream Park.

A decision on rescheduling the Shirley Jones Handicap (gr. II) has not been annouced. Stronach Stable’s Sugar Swirl was to have bid for a sweep of the three sprint stakes for older fillies and mares. Sugar Swirl previously won the First Lady (gr. II) and the Hurricane Bertie (gr. III).

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