Cold snap leads to rare Churchill Downs racing cancellation

An early blast of winter weather and below-freezing overnight temperatures have prompted Churchill Downs to cancel its live racing program scheduled for Wednesday.

Training at Churchill Downs was also canceled Tuesday morning as the track maintenance crew worked to keep the surface from freezing. With temperatures forecast to climb only into the mid-20s Tuesday and dip back into the teens overnight, track officials have determined that track conditions will not improve significantly before the 1 p.m. ET scheduled first post time Wednesday.

Cancellations of races at Churchill Downs because of weather conditions are rare, with Wednesday's occurrence just the 22nd in documented track history and seventh connected to a wintry mix. The last time racing was suspended because of winter weather was Nov. 19-20, 2014.

While there is no live racing at Churchill Downs on Wednesday, simulcast wagering will be available with free admission when gates open at 11:30 a.m.

Churchill Downs will contact groups and individual patrons who previously purchased reserved seating for the cancelled Wednesday live racing date. Those patrons may visit the Paddock Box Office and request a refund or exchange their ticket for equal or lesser value seating on either Thursday; next Wednesday, Nov. 20; or Thursday, Nov. 21.

Please note that exchanges are subject to availability and may not be the same seating location. Complimentary, season or sponsor tickets will not be exchanged. Tickets for the cancelled race date are not valid for entry on any future live race dates.

Patrons who purchased tickets for the cancelled race date through Ticketmaster.com will have their tickets refunded and receive a credit applied to their method of payment. 

Churchill Downs intends to stage a 10-race card Thursday at 1 p.m. The Fall Meet at Churchill Downs continues through Sunday, Dec. 1.