Weather forces Mahoning, Penn National, Parx to cancel races

A wintry dawn to 2025 led to the cancellation of holiday races at Mahoning Valley in Youngstown, Ohio, and Penn National in Grantville, Pa., as well as half the card at Parx in Bensalem, Pa.

The scrubbing of programs at Mahoning Valley will last through Thursday and erase 16 races, according to a notice posted on Equibase. The National Weather Service said show showers would linger in the area through Saturday. There was a 70% chance of less than a one-inch accumulation on Wednesday with another inch possible Thursday. There was a prediction of 1-2 inches of new snow Friday.

Click here for Mahoning, Penn National entries and results.

Racing is not scheduled to resume at Mahoning Valley until Monday.

The forecast was only slightly better for Penn National.

“Due to high sustained wind speeds and gust(s) over 40 mph forecasted through the evening, live racing for this evening ... has been canceled,” track management said in a post on X. “Simulcast wagering will continue as scheduled. Live racing will resume (Thursday) evening as scheduled at 6 p.m. EST.”

Penn National had eight races carded Wednesday. Eight more are scheduled starting at 12:15 p.m. EST on Thursday, when sunny weather is predicted with a high near 37 degrees and west wind 16-18 mph with gusts up to 33 mph.

Parx called off the last five of its 10 races Wednesday because of course conditions, according to an X post by announcer Jessica Paquette. The dirt track was listed as muddy and sealed at the time of the cancellation.

Racing is scheduled to resume at Parx on Monday.