by John Siscos, WEG media

Campbellville, ON — Thursday evening’s (July 21) live Standardbred racing card at Mohawk has been canceled due to the extreme heat conditions in Halton region.

After consulting with the Central Ontario Standardbred Association), Woodbine Entertainment Group management decided in early afternoon to cancel the card, set for 7:10 p.m.

“Woodbine Entertainment Group believes in the best interest and safety of the horses and participants, so with the extreme heat, it was safest to cancel Thursday’s card,” said Bruce Murray, WEG Vice-President of Standardbred racing.

Temperatures in Halton region are expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) into the early evening. A Humidex reading of 47 degrees Celsius (116 degrees Fahrenheit) is also forecast.

The all-time record high temperature at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport is 38.3 degrees Celsius.

The Ontario Sires Stakes events scheduled for the program will be rescheduled for August, pending Ontario Racing Commission approval. The elimination for the Whenuwishuponastar Stakes is now set for next Thursday, July 28.

Live Standardbred racing is expected to resume at Mohawk on Friday (July 22) with a post time of 7:10 p.m.

Woodbine’s live Thoroughbred card on Thursday, scheduled for 2 p.m., was also canceled due to the extreme heat.