by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Winter weather has forced some tracks to cancel their Thursday (Feb. 13) live racing cards and simulcasting. Below are the notices that have been sent to the USTA Newsroom.

Yonkers cancels Thursday live racing, all simulcasting

Yonkers, NY — Stop us if you’ve heard this one before…Yonkers Raceway has cancelled its live racing program and all simulcasting for tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 13), due to another impending snowstorm in the greater New York area.

Live racing (and afternoon/evening simulcasting) is scheduled to resume Friday (Feb. 14), with the usual 7:10 PM first post.

Horsemen are advised that there is no draw tomorrow (Wednesday). A double-draw for Tuesday and Thursday (Feb. 18 and 20) shall be conducted Friday (Feb. 14), with the entry box closing at 4 PM. For more information, please contact the race office at (914) 457-2627.

As of this writing, casino hours remain unchanged, closing at 4 AM (updates when/if necessary).

— Frank Drucker

Freehold Cancels Live Racing for Thursday, February 13

Freehold, NJ –– Freehold Raceway announced that live racing scheduled for Thursday, February 13 had been cancelled due to weather conditions.

Conditions permitting, live racing will resume on Friday with first race post set for 12:30pm.

— Freehold Publicity Department

Monticello Raceway cancels Thursday’s card

Monticello, NY — Already with over a foot of snow on the ground and a forecast of 12-18 inches more tomorrow, Monticello Raceway has cancelled its Thursday (Feb. 13) racing program.

Along with racing, simulcast wagering is also cancelled.

Live racing will resume on President’s Day, Monday, February 17 with first post slated at 12:25 PM.

Featured that afternoon will be the “Not Quite” Presidential Pace, a race for drivers whose surnames are the same as U.S. Presidents.

— John Manzi

Meadowlands closed for racing and simulcasting

East Rutherford, NJ—Due to the winter storm and treacherous travel conditions, racing at The Meadowlands has been cancelled for Thursday night (Feb. 13).

Please make note that the entire racing card, including the first round of Charles Singer Memorial, will be carried over to next Thursday (Feb. 20). Therefore, if your horse was entered to race tonight at the Meadowlands, he or she is now in-to-go at the Meadowlands Thursday (Feb. 20).

The second round of the Charles Singer Memorial will now take place on Thursday (Feb. 27) with the final on Saturday (March 8).

In addition, both the Meadowlands and Winners Bayonne are closed for simulcasting today. At present, both facilities are scheduled to re-open Friday at 11:00 a.m., with live racing at the Meadowlands scheduled to resume on Friday at 7:15 p.m.

–Darin Zoccali