Laurel Park has canceled its live racing program for Jan. 25, but not because of the about 30 inches of snow that fell on the racing surface over the weekend.
Maryland Jockey Club president and general manager Sal Sinatra said that as of noon Jan.24 most of the snow had been removed from the surface, and the barn area was in good shape.
Laurel canceled racing midway through its Jan. 23 program when the snow began to fall. Management already had announced that live racing wouldn't be held Jan. 23-24.
"The crew graded (the surface) and blew off snow most of (Saturday night and Sunday morning)," Sinatra said. "I'm pretty proud of our guys. They worked all night. The track is in good shape despite the blizzard conditions, and our facilities and barn areas experienced no issues."
Training is expected to resume Jan. 25 at Laurel, which also expects to be open for full-card simulcasts. Sinatra said negotiating some roads in the area—most of it was hit with at least two feet of snow—is still problematic.
"I'm a little afraid for the shippers (that would have raced Monday)," he said.
Live racing is scheduled to resume Jan. 29. Laurel currently races on a Friday-through-Monday schedule.
