Saratoga Racecourse Braces for Wet Weather Conditions: Updates on Turf Races and Stakes Events
(Saratoga Springs, NY – August 5th, 2023) The Saratoga racing scene is gearing up for a wet weekend, as the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced several changes to the Saturday card in response to an overnight storm that left the grounds with about a half-inch of rain.
In a text message sent to horsemen at 7:48 a.m. EDT, NYRA officials confirmed that Races 1, 4, and 13 would be taken off the turf. Races 1 and 4 will now be run at a distance of one mile, while Race 13 will remain at nine furlongs, but on the main track.
Despite the weather, the two scheduled graded stakes events, the Saratoga Derby Invitational (G1) and the Troy (G2), are still set to go forward on the outer turf course. The Saratoga Derby, a 1 3/16-mile race, is slated for 3:21 p.m. EDT, while the Troy, a 5 1/2-furlong sprint, will have a post time of 5:04 p.m.
The fate of the turf stakes will depend heavily on whether any additional rainfall occurs throughout the day. The National Weather Service has predicted a 40 percent chance of showers, with the potential for thunderstorms that could bring up to a tenth of an inch of precipitation.
Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 87 degrees with calm winds shifting to the southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
The $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1), scheduled for 5:42 p.m. EDT on the main track, remains the feature race of the day. The first post time for the Saratoga card is set for 12:05 p.m.
Horse racing enthusiasts and bettors alike will be closely monitoring the weather and track conditions as the day unfolds, with the potential for an exciting mix of turf and dirt racing at the historic Saratoga Racecourse.
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