UPDATE: Gold Cup and Saucer postponed due to heavy rain

Heavy rain has pushed The Guardian Gold Cup and Saucer to Sunday night.
Red Shores announced Friday night that Saturday afternoon’s card at the Charlottetown Driving Park was postponed.
The business announced Saturday afternoon that the evening card, featuring the Gold Cup and Saucer, will also go on Sunday.
Now there will be a Sunday afternoon card beginning at noon and an evening card starting at 6 p.m. The Guardian Gold Cup and Saucer will be the final race of the evening card.
Lee Drake, manager of marketing and brands for Red Shores, said rescheduling is the best decision for the horses, the drivers and the guest experience.
“That allows us to ensure that the racing surface and everything is up to the best it could possibly be and at the end of the day allows us to put on the greatest show in harness racing,” he said.
The last time the Gold Cup and Saucer main event race was postponed was in 2015 when a surge of heavy rain came down on Charlottetown. Only the final race was moved to the next day.
The last time the entire Saturday evening Gold Cup and Saucer racing card was postponed to Sunday was in 2008.
“Here we are 10 years later and we find ourselves in the same situation where we’re moving a Saturday night card to Sunday evening,” said Drake.
This is the first time Red Shores has held a Sunday doubleheader for the Gold Cup and Saucer races with both the afternoon and evening cards taking place.
Since the fair portion of Old Home Week ends Saturday, the parking lot will be available for Sunday’s races.
“With this move there’s no gate fee and the Red Shores parking lot will be available too,” said Drake.
The horses racing in the event will remain the same but some driver changes will occur due to the reschedule.
An Environment Canada rainfall warning for P.E.I. says the province will receive total amounts of 40 to 60 mm today.
The rain has also caused flooding in some Charlottetown streets.
Barricades were put up on Edward and Kent Streets near Joe Ghiz Park, as well as on Connolly Street.
Rain has been heavy at times and is expected to taper to scattered showers later in the day.

[email protected]