05/23/2026
Sunday's Fair Hill flat race card canceled; Steeplechase meet will go on as planned on Monday
Due to heavy and sustained rain, Sunday’s flat meet at Fair Hill in Elkton, Md., part of the two-day “Turf Showcase” over Memorial Day weekend, has been canceled.
After several days of precipitation in the region, racing officials and horsemen scrutinized the turf course on Saturday morning and, out of an abundance of caution, decided to abandon the event. Tickets purchased for Sunday will be refunded.
“Horse and jockey safety is paramount,” said Bill Knauf, President and General Manager of The Maryland Jockey Club. “Given the speeds at which thoroughbred flat horses compete, especially at sprint distances, we want to make absolutely sure the ground is ideal.” Sunday’s eight-race program included three sprints at 6 ½ furlongs.
Steeplechase Racing on Monday Racing at Fair Hill will go on as scheduled. The first of nine races will go off at 1 pm. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. The event will be live streamed via the NSA web site at www.nationalsteeplechase.com
The forecasted rain over the next few days is likely to present a turf course labeled 'good to soft,' which are, actually, ideal conditions for steeplechase races," according to Bill Gallo, the Director of Racing for the National Steeplechase Association. "In general, softer turf results in a safer environment for our horses, with statistically less risk of injury. The pace of our races is considerably slower than flat racing, as our horses compete over distances of 2 to 2-1/14 miles. Additionally, our jockeys ride with an abundance of caution when circumstances call for it. We look forward to a competitive and exciting day of jump racing on Monday, with confidence that the Fair Hill Racecourse will be in excellent shape."
