Heavy rain forces Fair Grounds to cancel 2 races, take 3 off turf

Racing officials at Fair Grounds canceled the first two races on Saturday's card and took all races off the turf after receiving nearly four inches of rain overnight, impacting three Claiming Crown races carded on the lawn.

The National Weather Service reported that New Orleans received 3.96 inches of rain overnight and forecast a 70 percent chance that another quarter to half an inch would fall later, particularly through the morning hours.

Fair Grounds officials said in a post on X.com that the first two races on the card had been canceled "due to heavy rains and the need for additional track maintenance." It said racing would now begin at 3:30 p.m. EST.

The closure of the turf course impacted three races carded for turf in the Claiming Crown series:

Race 5, the $150,000 Tiara, a 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares 3 years old and up that have started for a claiming tag of $25,000 or less in 2022 or 2023. No. 7 Perhaps Tonight was an early scratch from the race, reducing the field to seven.

Race 7, the $150,000 Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial run at 5 1/2 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up that have started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less over the same period. There were three early scratches from the race - no. 5 Rebel Posse, no. 7 Bring Me a Check and no. 13 Tough Charlie, reducing the field to 11 runners.

Race 9, the $150,000 Emerald, run at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds and up that have started or a claiming price of $25,000 or less over the same period. There were five early scratches from the race - no. 3 More Ice, no. 4 Bizzee Channel, no. 9 Ocelot, no. 10 Leave It To Kitten and no. 11 Therapist - reducing the field to eight.