Several Eastern racetracks have canceled live racing in advance of a massive winter storm expected to dump up more than two feet of snow on parts of the Mid-Atlantic region.
Laurel Park in Maryland is in the warning area expected to get 20-28 inches of snow in a 24-hour period beginning the afternoon of Feb. 5. Laurel canceled racing for Feb. 5-6.
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, which could see as much as 15 inches of snow, cancelled racing for both Feb. 5 and Feb. 6.
“Based on all the weather models, this was the prudent decision to make in consideration of our fans and horsemen," Penn National director of racing Rob Marella said. “The snow is expected to arrive here Friday afternoon and not end until mid-day Saturday. The shipper’s won’t have to worry about getting on the road.”
Other tracks in area in which heavy snow is predicted are Charles Town Races & Slots in West Virginia and Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack near Philadelphia. Both tracks have canceled live racing for Feb. 5-6.
In the Midwest, Beulah Park near Columbus, Ohio, scrapped its Feb. 5 program because of snow.
There is a winter storm watch in effect for New York City, where Aqueduct is located. Some snow is expected Feb. 6, but forecasters said it’s too early to gauge the path of the storm.