Ganbling news from http://www.delawareonline.com/
State racing officials canceled Tuesday's racing card at Delaware Park, deciding that the extreme heat and humidity were too dangerous for the horses and jockeys.
With temperatures and humidity forecast to drop today, racing is expected to resume as scheduled with a 12:45 p.m. post.
John Wayne, state thoroughbred racing administrator, said the decision was made after he met with Dr. John Peters, supervising veterinarian at Delaware Park.
"He went out on the racetrack to see just how hot it was," Wayne said. "He came back in and said it was just unbelievably hot and that he was concerned about sending the horses and jockeys out there.
"We didn't want to have a jockey get injured or a horse go down and say to ourselves afterward, 'Why didn't we cancel the racing card?' I think it was a good decision for the horses and the jockeys."
Wayne said he informed state Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse, whose department oversees thoroughbred and harness racing in Delaware, of the decision.
The temperature in the early afternoon Tuesday at Delaware Park was 95 with a heat index that made it feel like 107, Wayne said.
"The heat index was too high, and I was very concerned the horses wouldn't like it or handle it very well," Peters said.
Andrew Gentile, Delaware Park's chief of staff, said the track typically averages about $2 million in handle (live and simulcast betting combined) on Tuesdays. Monday and Tuesday are typically DelPark's best simulcast days, since a number of other tracks in the region, including New York, are dark on those days.
Wayne said Delaware Park officials could extend the meet at the end of the season to make up for any missed racing days.
Weather conditions have at times affected horse racing tracks throughout the United States, with race cards being canceled because of extreme hot or cold temperatures, thunderstorms and other weather occurrences.
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