Following a decision by the New York Racing Association board of directors at its meeting last Friday to curtail live racing at Aqueduct for the rest of this winter, the Big A has moved to a four-day-a-week schedule by canceling six racing cards in February and March, beginning with next Wednesday, Feb. 6.
Four of the other cancellations also fall on Wednesday — Feb. 13, Feb. 27, March 6 and March 13, with Thursday, Feb. 14, also dark. Aqueduct will remain open for simulcasting on those days.
Although state law requires Aqueduct to conduct at least 95 live days of racing during the winter meet, the N.Y. State Racing and Wagering Board yesterday approved the cutback, which was supported by the N.Y. Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association.
NYTHA noted that New York’s recent “adoption of needed but strong new drug rules,” especially increasing the withdrawal period for Clenbuterol from four to 14 days, has had a “short-term but very substantial effect on the population of horses for racing at Aqueduct.”