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Saratoga cancels Friday after track washes out A severe summer thunderstorm, complete with heavy rain, hail and lightning, washed out part of the main track at Saratoga Race Course on Friday, forcing the cancellation of racing after the 2ND race. After maintenance crews determined it would take more than an hour to repair the damage, New York Racing Association (NYRA) stewards made the decision to cancel racing. In total, eight races were canceled, including the $80,000 Waya for older fillies and mares going 1 1/2 miles on the turf. "Even after an hour, there was no guarantee that the track would be up to standard," NYRA President Charles E. Hayward said after track maintenance crews had to work on wash-out spots between the quarter-pole and the five-sixteenths pole. "The threat of more storms was real and we decided to cancel for the safety of the horses, the jockeys and the fans." Patrons were given a two-part rain check for admission and program upon exiting the facility. Exchange of reserved seats will be granted for future dates, based on availability. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) will also honor an exchange of the Daily Racing Form and/or program on any day within the next two weeks. The track remained open for simulcasting. The last time racing was canceled at Saratoga was on August 2, 2006, when severe heat and humidity forced the cancellation of the track's entire nine-race card. That decision to cancel was also an historic one, marking the first time in memory that an entire Spa card was canceled. Furthermore, it is believed to be the first time racing was canceled here because of heat and humidity. There was a heat point index of 110 that day. Prior to that, records indicate that, since the advent of mutuels in 1940, no entire Saratoga card was canceled. However, the final race on Travers Day, August 28, 2004, was canceled shortly after Belmont S. (G1) winner Birdstone won the meet's biggest race by a 2 1/2 lengths over stablemate The Cliff's Edge. Also, two partial cards were canceled due to severe storms in 1988 and 1986.
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