Oaklawn, Sam Houston, Turfway all cancel due to extreme cold

Sam Houston and Turfway Park canceled their Thursday programs and Oaklawn Park has called off its entire weekend of racing due to extreme weather conditions. Turfway later announced Friday's card had also been canceled.

Sam Houston had a nine-race program scheduled for Thursday. It will be run in its entirety next Wednesday, according to a Twitter post from the track's account.

With Sam Houston postponing its Thursday card, Horse Racing Nation's regular handicapping live stream also has been canceled. There will be two editions next week focusing on Sam Houston. Ed DeRosa and Sara Elbadwi will host them Wednesday and Thursday evenings starting at 4:50 p.m. EST.

Turfway also had nine-race programs set for both Thursday and Friday. 

Later on Thursday, Oaklawn Park announced it had canceled its cards for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Training had already been canceled Thursday morning due to snow and ice in the area.

The canceled programs will be made up on three Thursdays next month: March 17, March 24 and March 31.

Oaklawn's scheduled feature for Saturday – the $250,000 Bayakoa (G3) for older fillies and mares – will be redrawn and run next Saturday, according to director of racing Jennifer Hoyt. It will share the bill with the $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3).

The Bayakoa is a steppingstone to the $1 million Apple Blossom (G1) on April 23. 

“It’s never an easy decision to cancel live racing, but it’s the right decision for the safety of our horses and our fans traveling this weekend,” Oaklawn Park general manager Wayne Smith said.