Racing officers in New York introduced Friday that dwell racing at Belmont Park will reopen forward of the ultimate leg of the Triple Crown race on Saturday, resulting from “significant improvement in air quality conditions.”
The New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) issued a joint assertion saying the choice to renew racing and coaching after exercise on the racetrack was canceled Thursday over air high quality issues from the Canadian wildfire smoke blanketing the northeast.
The important observe is seen previous to the a hundred and fifty fifth working of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 8, 2023 in Elmont, New York. All coaching and racing on the observe have been canceled at this time as a result of Canadian wildfires. Air air pollution alerts have been issued throughout the United States resulting from smoke from wildfires which were burning in Canada for weeks. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
PETA CALLS FOR BELMONT STAKES TO BE POSTPONED OVER AIR QUALITY CONCERNS FROM CANADIAN WILDFIRE SMOKE
“Moving forward, NYRA will continue to actively monitor air quality conditions and forecasts to ensure the environment remains safe for racing participants and fans this weekend,” officers stated in a press launch.
Despite the clearance from the NYRA and the NYSGC, PETA stated Friday that Saturday’s race ought to nonetheless be canceled.
Horses are seen exterior their barn previous to the a hundred and fifty fifth working of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 8, 2023 in Elmont, New York. All coaching and racing on the observe have been canceled at this time as a result of Canadian wildfires. Air air pollution alerts have been issued throughout the United States resulting from smoke from wildfires which were burning in Canada for weeks. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
“The horses’ lungs are no doubt still full of particulates from days of inhaling this polluted air, meaning that races should be canceled at Belmont Park on Friday afternoon, when the air quality will again deteriorate, and that the demanding 1.5-mile Belmont Stakes on Saturday must be postponed,” PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo stated in an announcement to Fox News Digital.
“The horses’ health and lives should not be tossed out like a used betting slip so that Belmont Park can throw a party.”
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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul stated Thursday that the Belmont Stakes may very well be canceled if the air high quality index on Saturday exceeds 200, the Environmental Protection Agency benchmark for air that may be very unhealthy for everybody.
If the air high quality is measured at 150 to 200, solely horses that cross an extra pre-race veterinary examination will probably be permitted to race, Hochul added.
A horse is seen in its stall previous to the a hundred and fifty fifth working of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 8, 2023 in Elmont, New York. All coaching and racing on the observe have been canceled at this time as a result of Canadian wildfires. Air air pollution alerts have been issued throughout the United States resulting from smoke from wildfires which were burning in Canada for weeks. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
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According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast for New York State on Friday morning, air high quality well being advisories have been nonetheless in impact for Long Island, with and AQI of 120.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.