Ongoing wildfires in Canada have blanketed the northeastern US in noxious smoke that has sparked a series of professional sports teams to postpone games over air quality concerns.
Now PETA is asking officials to postpone horse racing in New York before the belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown, until it is deemed safe.
A horse is seen in its stable before the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 8, 2023 in Elmont, New York. All practice and races at the track were canceled today due to the Canadian bushfires. Air pollution alerts have been issued across the United States due to smoke from the wildfires that have been burning in Canada for weeks. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced that all live racing at Belmont Park on Thursday was canceled «due to poor air quality conditions,» following an earlier announcement. that all practices for that day had also been cancelled.
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«Safety is paramount as we navigate this unprecedented situation,» NYRA CEO and President David O’Rourke said in a statement.
«NYRA will actively monitor all available data and weather information as we work to resume training and racing both here at Belmont Park and at Saratoga Race Course. Based on current forecast models and consultation with our third-party weather services, we remain optimistic that you will see an improvement in air quality on Friday.
PETA issued a statement Wednesday calling for the cancellation of Thursday’s events, but PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo also asked that NYRA consider canceling all horse racing over the weekend if the air quality conditions to persist.
Horses are seen outside their stable before the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 8, 2023 in Elmont, New York. All practice and races at the track were canceled today due to the Canadian bushfires. Air pollution alerts have been issued across the United States due to smoke from the wildfires that have been burning in Canada for weeks. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
“If the air in New York is not safe for humans, it will be worse for horses running at full speed,” Guillermo said in a statement. «Horse safety must come before profit and tradition, even if it means postponing the Belmont Stakes.»
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul said Thursday that the Belmont Stakes could be canceled if Saturday’s air quality index exceeds 200, the Environmental Protection Agency’s benchmark for air that is very unhealthy for everyone.
«People come from all over the country,» Hochul said. «It’s huge for the local economy. And so we… hopefully we can make this work, but there’s no sure what the weather will be. So it’s going to be a last-minute decision, I’m sure.»
If the air quality measures between 150 and 200, only horses that pass an additional pre-race veterinary exam will be allowed to compete, Hochul added.
Guillermo said Thursday that allowing horses to race on Long Island this weekend «is reckless and dangerous.»
The main track is seen before the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 8, 2023 in Elmont, New York. All practice and races at the track were canceled today due to the Canadian bushfires. Air pollution alerts have been issued across the United States due to smoke from the wildfires that have been burning in Canada for weeks. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
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“People are being advised to stay home and all outdoor activities have been cancelled, but the Governor wants Thoroughbreds to run at breakneck speed in this air,” Guillermo’s statement read.
«We urge the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and the New York Racing Association to cancel races until conditions are safe for the animals they claim to care for.»
According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast for New York State as of Friday morning, air quality health advisories were still in effect for Long Island, with an AQI of 120.
Associated Press contributed to this report.