ELMONT, N.Y. — As the horseracing world readies for the 155th Belmont Stakes on June 10, officials are monitoring the poor air quality as a thick smog passes across the U.S. According to Blood Horse Magazine, officials with the New York Racing Association, New York State Gaming Commission and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority are watching the conditions closely in Elmont, N.Y., the site of Belmont Park, to decide the status of the historic race.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said one of racing's biggest events could be scrapped if the Air Quality Index on Saturday exceeds 200, the Environmental Protection Agency benchmark for air that is very unhealthy for everyone. If the air quality is measured at 150 to 200, only horses that pass an additional pre-race veterinary examination will be permitted to race, said Hochul, a Democrat.

“People come from all over the country,” Hochul said. “It’s huge for the local economy. And so we ... hopefully can get this going, but there’s no assurance of what the weather’s going to be. So it’s going to be a last-minute decision, I’m sure.”

NYRA already canceled training and racing at Belmont on June 8, citing poor air quality that has lingered in the region since June 5 from wildfires in Canada.

NYRA President and CEO David O’Rourke expressed optimism that air quality would improve beginning June 9, just in time for the race. “NYRA will actively monitor all available data and weather information as we work toward the resumption of training and racing both here at Belmont Park and at Saratoga Race Course,” O’Rourke explained. “Based on current forecast models and consultation with our external weather services, we remain optimistic that we will see an improvement in air quality on Friday.”

Glen Kozak, NYRA vice president of facilities and racing surfaces, said safety protocols have been created to ensure the safety of fans and competitors — both human and equine — in the days ahead. He said NYRA will make its decision in consultation with the New York State Gaming Commission and HISA. “The protocols have been released from the New York State Gaming Commission on what steps are taking place as far as the monitoring at the different levels and the consultations that’ll take place,” Kozak said.

He went on to explain the racetrack monitors weather conditions like this regularly, though the smog is an exceptional case. “It’s very similar to what we do with the other protocols; like the heat index,” Kozak said Thursday. “This is just something that certainly in New York we haven’t had to deal with in the past.”

HISA is currently working with NYRA and other tracks as smoke from wildfires has impacted racing in the northeast. While HISA does not have specific rules regarding air quality, its Racetrack Safety rules require tracks to develop hazardous weather protocols when they are needed.

HISA will use the Air Quality Index to guide decisions about training and racing. As of Thursday evening, the AQI in Elmont registered a 152, which is considered “unhealthy” on that scale. That was down from 155 on Thursday morning.

The NYGSC released its protocols Thursday, noting that particulates in the atmosphere can build up in both horse and human respiratory systems, causing serious health problems, including irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract. With horses, the poor air quality could irritate exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. 

The gaming commission also said effective immediately, horses needed to be monitored for signs of respiratory inflammation and contact their veterinarian if horses exhibit coughing, respiratory distress, nasal discharge or fever.

Should the AQI surpass 201, no training or racing will be conducted.

Live racing is scheduled to resume on Friday at Belmont Park, according to NYRA. 

The uncertain conditions cap off a tumultuous Triple Crown season as a recent spate of horse deaths has hung over the sport. After a 12th horse died at Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, the track announced that it was halting its Spring Meet to conduct an internal investigation, as well as an external HISA investigation. So far, the investigation has found no discernable link for the deaths. In most cases, the horses were euthanized after sustaining injuries while training or racing.

Known as the “crown jewel of the Triple Crown,” the Belmont Stakes is the final race in horseracing’s premier three-part series. There will be no Triple Crown winner this year, however, after the Bob Baffert-trained National Treasure took the Preakness on May 20. Kentucky Derby winner Mage came in third.

The Associated Press Contributed to this report.