Del Mar cancels Saturday card with heavy rain expected

Del Mar cancelled its Saturday card and will have an earlier post time Friday as heavy rain is expected in the area.

The Southern California track said its post time Friday will be 3 p.m. EST, rather than 3:30 p.m.

Track officials have not yet made a determination regarding Sunday’s racing program, according to a news release. Once a decision is reached for the remainder of the weekend, Del Mar will release additional information outlining plans to make up cancelled races as appropriate. The Saturday card featured the Desi Arnaz Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.

Saturday’s cancellation marks only the third time in Del Mar’s 88-year history that racing has been suspended because of weather conditions.

Del Mar’s 16-day fall meet began Oct. 30 and will conclude Sunday, Nov. 30.

Click here for Del Mar entries and results.

The National Weather Service forecast for the Del Mar area called for a 70% chance of showers Friday with thunderstorms possible in the late afternoon. The chance of precipitation increases to 80% Friday night.

The forecast for Saturday and Saturday night called for a 90% chance of showers and thunderstorms, with heavy rainfall during some of the storms.

For Sunday, rain is possible in the morning and late evening, with a mostly cloudy day otherwise.