Extreme cold weather in the Mid-Atlantic forced Laurel Park to cancel the remainder of Friday’s races after only the first event was completed. The opening race was won by “Weekend Wife” at odds of $9.80, giving jockey Andres Chavez and trainer Tim Keefe a victory.
Due to ongoing severe weather, Laurel Park also postponed its live racing scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday. The Saturday card, which included the $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes and the $100,000 Extra Heat Stakes—both for 3-year-old fillies—has been pushed to Wednesday, February 4. Sunday’s nine-race card is now set for Thursday, February 5.
Next week, Laurel Park will run races from Wednesday through Sunday with the first post time at 12:00 PM ET. Despite the race-day cancellations, the Laurel Park and Maryland Jockey Club off-track betting (OTB) networks will continue to support simulcast wagering.
This report was first published by Paulick Report on January 30, 2026.
Fan Take: Weather disruptions highlight the challenges of winter racing but also emphasize the resilience and adaptability of the industry. Keeping the sport on track with rescheduled stakes ensures that fans and participants can still engage with key events, preserving excitement and momentum in horse racing.
