Unfavorable weather has caused disruptions in race schedules throughout this month, and the upcoming weekend is no different. Aqueduct will now host the postponed G3 Pebbles Stakes and Forever Together Stakes on turf this weekend, both races for female horses, after last Sunday’s events were called off due to strong winds.
At Churchill Downs, the highlight this weekend is the G3 Commonwealth Turf, though the weather might not cooperate as rain is expected starting Thursday and continuing into early Saturday morning. Laurel Park’s three stakes races this weekend—The Richard W. Small, Willa on the Move, and Dave’s Friend—face similar weather challenges, with the National Weather Service forecasting between a tenth and a quarter inch of rain Friday night, and more rain likely by early Saturday afternoon.
In California, storm clouds are expected to clear by Saturday, just in time for the G3 Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar, which will be run on Saturday and Monday after Friday’s card was canceled due to predicted rain.
On Saturday at 5:25 p.m., the G3 Commonwealth Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs will see G1 winner Troubleshooter compete against King’s Plate winner Mancetti and Kentucky Derby participant Flying Mohawk over a 1⅛-mile turf course. Troubleshooter recently showed improvement after his G1 Franklin Simpson Stakes win, while Mancetti will be making his turf debut at Churchill Downs. Flying Mohawk, who finished 18th in the Kentucky Derby and underwent colic surgery this summer, returns refreshed to the turf where he previously won at this course and distance.
Later at 7 p.m., the G3 Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar features Nevada Beach, a seventh-place finisher in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and the field’s only stakes winner, though he has yet to win at Del Mar. Two-time Del Mar victor Indispensable will also contend, bringing strong recent performances including a third-place finish at Churchill Downs’ G3 Ack Ack Stakes.
This news highlights the resilience required in horse racing, with weather often testing the sport’s adaptability. For fans, the shifting schedules underscore the excitement and unpredictability of live racing, while presenting opportunities for top contenders to prove their versatility and stamina under varying conditions.
