The Maryland Jockey Club subsequently said that the card would be brought back in its entirety on Friday, April 14. Races in the book for Friday would return as extras for April 15 and April 16. 

A press release from the Maryland Jockey Club described the decision to cancel racing as coming “out of an abundance of caution to do a full evaluation of the racing surfaces.”

In a text message, MJC acting president Mike Rogers added, “I have received feedback from some of the horsemen that they have concerns about the track, [and] we are going to take the next couple of days to investigate those concerns.”

The condition of the racing strip at Laurel has been an area of ongoing concern in recent years. Indeed, Rogers addressed it at the April 4 meeting of the Maryland Racing Commission, saying the company was in the midst of repairs to a spot near the first finish line.

Racing took place Thursday and Friday without incident at Laurel. However, Saturday morning, one horse breezing suffered an injury that required it to be euthanized, and another was vanned off following an injury, according to three people who were at the track.

Live racing will resume with an eight-race program Thursday, April 13, including the first race of the 2023 turf season.