Belmont Park Cancels Stakes-Filled Weekend

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In light of the terroristic tragedy that hit New York City and Washington, D.C. on Sept. 11, New York Racing Association officials have cancelled racing at Belmont Park until Wednesday, Sept. 19.

Live racing was canceled at Belmont Park Sept. 12-14, but they originally announced they would re-open for Saturday's program. Both Saturday and Sunday's card featured major prep races for the World Thoroughbred Championships on Oct. 27 at Belmont Park.

"We thought it was best for the community, our patrons, the horsemen, and our employees to cancel racing this weekend," said NYRA president and COO Terry Meyocks.

Across the Hudson River in New Jersey, the Meadowlands has also canceled their Saturday evening program that included the running of the Princeton Stakes. They will also be closed to simulcasting Saturday and Sunday.

Races cancelled for Saturday are the Ruffian Handicap (gr. I), Belmont Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IIT), and Jerome Handicap (gr. II). Races called off for Sunday are the Futurity (gr. I) and Matron (gr. I) Stakes for 2-year-olds.

The Jerome has been rescheduled for Sept. 22, but the Ruffian, Belmont Breeders' Cup, Matron, and the Futurity will not be rescheduled because of conflicts with other Belmont races.

"They are four great stakes races but if we reschedule them, they will run too close to the stakes races run for those divisions on Oct. 6," said NYRA racing secretary Mike Lakow. The conflict would be with the Beldame (gr. I), Kelso Handicap (gr. II), Frizette Stakes (gr. I), and the Champagne Stakes (gr. I).

"It left us with no real option," Lakow said.

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation auction and tag sale scheduled for Saturday will be rescheduled at a later date.

Belmont plans on reopening for racing on Wednesday, Setp. 19.

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