Gulfstream cancels Saturday, Sunday racing due to tropical storm
Saturday’s live racing card at Gulfstream Park has been canceled due to heavy rains from a tropical storm system making its way across South Florida.
A tropical storm warning from the National Weather Service remained in effect Saturday morning. The version of the advisoriy updated at 8:00 a.m. EDT predicted a total of six to 10 inches of rain across much of South Florida, with up to 15 inches in places. It also cautioned specifically of flooding in urban areas.
Later on Saturday, Gulfstream Park announced it had received more than 12 inches of rain and that Sunday's card would also be abandoned.
"Gulfstream Park, out of an abundance of caution for the safety of its horses, jockeys and horsemen, has announced it will cancel Sunday’s Thoroughbred races due to the effects of a weekend tropical storm that soaked South Florida with more than 12 inches of rain Friday evening through Saturday afternoon.
"Live racing will resume Thursday with a 1:05 p.m. EDT first race post and a 20-cent Rainbow 6 gross jackpot pool guarantee of $700,000.
The canceled Saturday card had included ten races, headlined by the $65,000 Ginger Punch Stakes. That race, carded at seven and a half furlongs on the grass, drew a field of eight led by ten-time winner Sugar Fix and Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf Stakes winner Lovely Luvy. Gulfstream Park has not yet announced a new date for the Ginger Punch.
Though the track has canceled live racing, the Gulfstream Park facility will remain open for simulcast and casino wagering.
Sunday's nine-race program was slated to feature the $60,000 Bay Harbor Islands Handicap.