Saratoga: Morning rain forces 4 races off the turf Saturday

A morning thunderstorm forced the New York Racing Association to move four non-stakes races off the turf Saturday and shift the Grade 1 Diana to the outer grass course.

“Races 5, 6, 9 (and) 12 are off the turf,” the NYRA racing office said in an 8:56 a.m. EDT text message to horsemen. “The two stakes are on as of now with the Diana moving to the Mellon turf course.”

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The Bowling Green (G2), scheduled to start an hour and 45 minutes before the Diana, still is set for the outer turf.

Heavy rain started around 7:30 a.m. EDT after a thunderstorm warning had been posted by the National Weather Service. It marked the second time since Thursday evening that Saratoga absorbed a storm.

Four of the five turf races scheduled for Friday were moved to the main track. Only the Coronation Cup (G3) stayed on the grass.

The National Weather Service forecast for Saratoga Springs, N.Y., said showers and thunderstorms were likely in the morning. The rest of the day is expected to be partly sunny with a high near 87 degrees. There is a 20% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms Saturday evening. On Sunday there is a 30% chance of more precipitation after 2 p.m. EDT.