(from Lone Star Park release)
Severe weather, including .8 of an inch of rain in a 15-minute span, caused the cancellation of the final six races Sunday at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.
A severe thunderstorm popped up over Lone Star Park at approximately 2:45 p.m. CT before the scheduled running of the fourth race. Soon thereafter, jockeys and their mounts were returned to the saddling paddock to wait out the storm. When the deluge finally subsided, they briefly returned to the racetrack before races 4-9 were canceled at about 3:30 p.m. CT.
"We took on so much rain in such a short period of time," said Drew Shubeck, track president and general manager. "When our riders came back from the racetrack for a second time, they felt there were areas of the surface that were washed out. The safety of our horses and jockeys are a top priority."
Inclement weather has been the norm at Lone Star Park this season. More than 19 inches of rain has fallen in Grand Prairie over the last two months, which is 11 inches above the average. Racing surfaces have been labeled "fast and firm" on only 21 of the 49 racing dates thus far.
To make up for Sunday's canceled races, Shubeck said six races would be added to racing dates before closing day on July 29.
