Santa Anita cancels Thursday card due to extreme heat

Citing the effects of extremely dry conditions and

temperatures that are expected to be more than 30 degrees above normal, Santa

Anita Park has announced that live racing has been canceled for Thursday. Santa

Anita will be open as planned for simulcast wagering on Thursday.

Although

unseasonably hot temperatures are forecast throughout Southern California on

Thursday, a cooling trend is expected to arrive Friday.

While average temperatures for the month of May in Arcadia

are usually in the mid-70s range, Thursday's projected high is a record-breaking

108 degrees, which presents clear challenges for both human and equine athletes.

"In consultation with all of our stakeholders, the TOC

(Thoroughbred Owners of California), the CTT (California Thoroughbred Trainers),

and the Jockeys Guild, we feel it is best to cancel Thursday and resume racing

as originally scheduled on Friday," Santa Anita President Tom Ludt said.

"The

good news is that beginning Friday, temperatures are expected to cool and with

our twilight first post time on Friday at 3 p.m. (PDT), we're confident we'll be in

good shape, weather-wise.

"The most recent update we have for Saturday projects a

high temperature of 84, which should be fantastic. On account of the Preakness

on Saturday, we'll have a special early first post time of 11:30 a.m., which

should work very well for everyone."

Sunday's projected high in Arcadia is 78 degrees.

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