Heatwave Halts Horse Racing, as Colonial Downs Takes a Precautionary Approach to the July 28 Card

After the deaths of racehorses around the world, Virginia’s Colonial Downs does not want to take any chances. They have decided to cancel the race scheduled for Friday. They made the decision after joint consultation with the Virginia Racing Commission and Virginia HBPA after the weather forecast warned of a heat wave.

Colonial Downs race track publicly announced the postponement of all races scheduled for July 28 to August 2. The equestrian community has welcomed this decision as it prioritizes the safety and well-being of the racehorses. This proactive approach showcases Colonial Downs’ commitment to ensuring the welfare of the animals and sets a positive example for other racing establishments around the world.

Colonial Downs demonstrates horse welfare priority amidst heatwave concerns

According to the National Weather Service, Virginia will see temperatures upwards of 105 degrees Fahrenheit on July 28. It may soar up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit caused by wind speed, air temperature, and humidity. In light of these extreme weather conditions, Colonial Downs has taken proactive measures to prioritize the welfare of the horses. The management has implemented strict protocols to ensure proper hydration, cooling measures, and monitoring of the horses’ well-being during races and training sessions.

The races scheduled at Colonial Downs on July 27 will go on as usual. According to reports on BloodHorse.com, “Thursday’s nine race card will be run as scheduled with a first post of 1:30 p.m.”. The race track has always been at the forefront of major developments in the sport since it started its operation in 1997.

Colonial Downs sets the pace

Colonial Downs started live streaming their races earlier than most race tracks. More than nine million viewers watch the stream online. With this level of popularity, the management also started online betting in the stakes. All of these measures helped the track officials focus their attention on horse welfare. Other race courses are often too caught up in generating revenue through gambling and neglect the well-being of the horses.

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The Saturday races at Colonial Downs will also continue as usual. Among the races scheduled is the much anticipated Housebuster Overnight Handicap with a featured stake of $100,000. The race will witness the top 3-year-old colts going against each other in seven furlongs. Saturday’s forecast of 98 degrees Fahrenheit will still be a concern for the horses and jockeys participating in the races. All the equestrian fans are hoping to see the races wrap up without any incidents.

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