The Maryland Jockey Club today issued the following press release:

Adverse weather conditions from last weekend’s winter storm and an ongoing forecast for rain throughout the Mid-Atlantic region has caused the Maryland Jockey Club to cancel Friday’s 10-race program at Laurel Park.

Laurel, Pimlico Race Course, Rosecroft Raceway and the MJC OTB network will remain open for simulcasting.

Live racing is scheduled to return Saturday with a special 11:40 a.m. post time. The 11-race program is co-headlined by the $100,000 Spectacular Bid for 3-year-olds and $100,000 Xtra Heat for 3-year-old fillies.

Multiple stakes winner Copper Tax is entered to make his sophomore debut in the Spectacular Bid against such horses as last-out winner Mission Beach, local multiple stakes winner Sweet Soddy J and New York shipper Guanare, a winner of two straight. Maryland-based Heart and New York-based Reconcile top the Xtra Heat off impressive debut victories.

Laurel has 10 races scheduled for Sunday starting at 12:25 p.m., and features the $75,000 Jennings and $75,000 Geisha going one mile for Maryland-bred/sired 4-year-olds and up. The Jennings includes multiple stakes winners Seven’s Eleven, Double Crown, Joe and Post Time, the latter two both past Maryland champions; while Northern Glow, third or better in six of seven career starts; and Maryland champion Malibu Moonshine top the Geisha for fillies and mares.

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NOTES Laurel has now canceled its last four live racing days… Last Sunday, when the MJC also canceled, acting president Mike Rogers told the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, “When the moisture comes up the track can get extremely sloppy, and we don’t know how loose it could get. We are of the opinion that taking that risk is too great. We do everything with safety as a priority.”

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