It did not rain on the parade, but the race track could get quite wet on the big race day.
Sun beamed down on the Gold Cup parade in Charlottetown today, but rain – and lots of it – is in the forecast for Saturday’s $60,000 Guardian Gold Cup and Saucer at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
SaltWire Network’s chief meteorologist Cindy Day is forecasting 30 to 40 mm of rain Saturday.
The rain is expected to start falling between 8 and 9 a.m. and wrap up around 6 p.m.
Environment Canada issued a a rainfall warning for Kings and Queens counties for Saturday, as well as a special weather statement for Prince County.
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The big race is set to go just before midnight, but one race card is scheduled to get under way at 1 p.m. and another at 7 p.m. before the Guardian Gold Cup and Saucer.
Day says gusts up to 40 km/h should help dry off the track in time for the main event.
Racing officials will make an announcement later tonight on plans for the race as well as a further announcement in the morning.
The iconic race that draws thousands of spectators was cancelled due to heavy rains for the first time in 2008 and again in 2015.
The Gold Cup and Saucer dates back to the early 1960s and has become known as one of North America’s most prestigious harness races.
The Guardian is the title sponsor for the Gold Cup & Saucer for his year and the next two years.