Fears lessen over Belmont Stakes cancellation as Friday card goes ahead and New York air 'significantly improves'

Concerns over the staging of Saturday's Belmont Stakes receded on Friday after racing resumed at the track following a significant improvement in air quality in New York.

With the New York area covered in a thick and hazardous smog caused by wildfires in Canada, racing and morning work had been cancelled at Belmont on Thursday, but it was open for business again on Friday.

A change in wind direction brought some respite with the air quality officially described as "moderate" on Friday morning, having been "very unhealthy" the day before. 

A statement issued on Friday by the New York Racing Association (NYRA) read: "Following significant improvement in air quality conditions throughout New York State, and in consultation with the New York State Gaming Commission, the NYRA announced that live racing will resume at Belmont Park today at 12.50pm [local time].

"In addition to the resumption of live racing, both Belmont and Saratoga reopened for training earlier this morning. Moving forward, NYRA will continue to actively monitor air quality conditions and forecasts to ensure the environment remains safe for racing participants and fans this weekend."

New York City had been engulfed in smoke following Canadian wildfiresCredit: Getty Images

The $1.5 million (£1.19m/€1.39m) Belmont Stakes (12.02) is set to feature the return of Forte, who was favourite for the Kentucky Derby before being scratched on the morning of the race due to a bruised foot.

The Todd Pletcher-trained colt, who also missed out on the Preakness Stakes, has not raced since winning the Florida Derby on April 1.

While the time between races is not ideal, Pletcher believes the step up to 1m4f for the first time is a positive.

"I think he's going to appreciate the bigger, wider turns here and I think he’s going to love the distance," the trainer told Daily Racing Form. "Now, we just need to allow him to get into that rhythm and that stride that he’s got. The mile and a half I think is what he's been wanting."

Kentucky Derby winner Mage, who was second behind Forte in the Florida Derby, does not run after his Preakness third but the winner National Treasure is a starter for Bob Baffert.

Appleby saddles Manhattan pair

On the Belmont Stakes undercard, Charlie Appleby is doubly represented in the Grade 1 Manhattan Stakes (10.54) with Ottoman Fleet and Warren Point.

William Buick, who survived the travel chaos caused by the smog to touch down in New York on Thursday, has opted to ride Ottoman Fleet, who won a Grade 2 at the track last month, with Richard Mullen aboard Man o' War fifth Warren Point 

Appleby said: "Ottoman Fleet has enjoyed an excellent year so far and looks to be in top form. He showed that he deserved a crack at Grade 1 company with a good win at this course last time out. 

“Warren Point won nicely in Bahrain in February but has been a little unlucky on his two subsequent starts and found himself in a bad position in the Man o' War, when he ended up over-racing due to the lack of pace. I'm hoping that dropping back to a mile and a quarter is going to suit, especially if they go a good gallop, and he could be a player if things fall his way."

Read more:

'I've never seen anything like it' - Belmont Stakes under threat as wildfire smog forces shutdown of racing in New York 

50 years since Secretariat's famous Belmont win - 'He was something else - I'm still waiting to see one as good' 

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