NEWS
Turfway Park cancels racing after breakdown
Posted: Thursday, February 19, 2009 5:27 PM
by Frank Angst
Citing cold weather and wind, Turfway Park canceled its final six races on Thursday after a breakdown in the third race that sent jockey Erin Wilkinson to the hospital.
The Northern Kentucky track cited wind chill temperatures in its decision to cancel the remainder of the card. According to weather.com, the temperature for Thursday afternoon was 24 degrees but there was a steady wind of 24 miles per hour with 32 mile per hour gusts for a wind chill of 9 degrees.
The cancellation decision followed the third race breakdown of Kays Kitty Cat. The five-year-old mare fell while turning for home in the six-furlong maiden claiming race. The state veterinarian reports Kays Kitty Cat was euthanized.
Turfway said Erin Wilkinson, who was riding Kays Kitty Cat, was taken to a hospital by ambulance. Wilkinson’s agent was not immediately available for an update on her condition.
Turfway saw eight breakdowns on its Polytrack surface during its 21-day holiday meeting, which ended on December 31. But from January 10 to February 10, there was not a breakdown during racing.
Thursday’s cold weather follows a recent trend of warmer temperatures in Northern Kentucky. A day earlier, temperatures reached 59 degrees.
In the second race on the card, a horse was eased and walked off. In the first race, a horse stopped after a half-mile.
Turfway President Bob Elliston and Jockeys’ Guild Midwest Regional Representative Jeff Johnston could not immediately be reached.
Frank Angst is senior writer for Thoroughbred Times
