Laurel Cancels Cards Saturday, Sunday

Because of the snow in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas the Maryland Jockey Club has canceled live racing at Laurel Park Saturday and Sunday. Severe winter weather also forced Turfway Park to cancel its live racing Saturday, the third consecutive day has been closed.

There will be simulcasting this afternoon at Laurel and its sister track Pimlico Race Course.

Monday's President's Day card will now feature 11 races, including three added money events, for purses of $646,500. In addition to the scheduled General George Handicap (gr. II), the card will also include the Barbara Fritchie Handicap (gr. II), originally scheduled for Saturday, and the $100,000 John B. Campbell Handicap, Sunday's featured race.

With another six to 12 inches of snow expected in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas by Sunday evening, the Maryland Jockey Club made the decision before racing was to begin Saturday.

"We anticipate to be open for business on Monday," said Maryland Jockey Club chief operating officer Lou Raffetto "We are trying to make the best out of a bad situation by carding the General George, Fritchie and Campbell on the same day."

The first 4,000 fans attending Monday's card will receive a free Xtra Heat bobblehead after the fifth race. The Laurel-based Eclipse Award winner is the even money morning line favorite in the Fritchie.

The inaugural "Rumble At The Races" amateur boxing event in Laurel Park's Carriage Room has been postponed and rescheduled for Feb. 23.

At, Turfway, a wintry mix of snow and freezing rain that hit the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area made conditions there unsuitable for racing.