Wednesday Racing at Churchill Downs Cancelled by Excessive Heat
Jun 15, 2022
Wednesday’s eight-race program at Churchill Downs has been cancelled because of excessive heat in the Louisville area.
A National Weather Service excessive heat warning for Louisville remains in effect until Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET. Heat index values of 105 to 109 are forecasted for Wednesday.
Cancellations of races at Churchill Downs because of weather conditions are rare. Wednesday’s cancellation was the 22nd in track history and only the second related to extreme heat, joining June 28, 2012.
Racing at Churchill Downs is scheduled to resume Thursday at 5 p.m. ET, although track officials will continue to monitor the forecast. Any decision about cancellations in extreme weather conditions is made through consultation with CDI’s Equine Medical Director, track management and regulatory officials. Many factors, including temperature, humidity and wind speeds, are evaluated to ensure the safety and well-being of human and equine athletes.
Simulcast wagering also has been cancelled Wednesday at Churchill Downs, but online wagering is available at www.TwinSpires.com.
Guests may exchange pre-purchased tickets for another comparable race day this year. Ticket exchanges can be made at any Churchill Downs box office location throughout the live racing season. Guests who ordered tickets through Ticketmaster online may visit help.ticketmaster.com for existing order support.
Documented Weather-Related Cancellations in Churchill Downs History
Date Meet Races Races Lost Reason
June 15, 2022 Spring All Races 8 Extreme Heat
June 23, 2016 Spring After Race 8 1 Lightning
Nov. 20, 2014 Fall All Races 10 Frozen racetrack
Nov. 19, 2014 Fall All Races 10 Frozen racetrack
June 28, 2012 Spring All Races 9 Extreme Heat
June 23, 2011 Spring All Races 9 Clean-up of damage following June 22 tornado
May 8, 2009 Spring After Race 5 5 Heavy rain, thunder & lightning
May 30, 2004 Spring After Race 4 6 Severe weather, tornado warnings
June 6, 1990 Spring After Race 3 6 Severe weather, tornado warnings
Nov. 13, 1986 Fall All Races 9 Frozen racetrack
Nov. 24, 1970 Fall All Races 9 Frozen racetrack
Nov. 23, 1970 Fall All Races 9 Frozen racetrack
Nov. 17, 1959 Fall All Races 8 Frozen racetrack
Nov. 4, 1936 Fall All Races 7 Snow
Sept. 29, 1884 Fall All Races n/a Rain
Sept. 27, 1884 Fall All Races n/a Rain
Sept. 24, 1884 Fall All Races n/a Rain
Oct. 4, 1883 Fall All Races n/a Rain
Oct. 1, 1883 Fall All Races n/a Mud
May 22, 1883 Spring All Races n/a Rain
Sept. 28, 1882 Fall All Races n/a Rain
Sept. 21, 1882 Fall All Races n/a Mud
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