A windy, wet day is on tap for the Atlanta Steeplechase today, according to the National Weather Service, possibly making things difficult for the estimated 25,000 expected to crowd Kingston Downs for the annual running of the equestrian event.
The track is located off U.S. 411 east of Rome on the Floyd County-Bartow County line. Gates open at 9 a.m. and the last race is scheduled to run at 4:45 p.m.
Showers are likely with a chance of thunderstorms this morning, with more showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. The NWS is predicting the rain chance near 100 percent.
Race organizers said the horses will run in the rain, but the races will be canceled in case of lingering thunderstorms.
Locally, heavy rainfall is possible in the afternoon with winds between 10 and 20 mph. Showers are expected to continue into the evening, according to the NWS.
STEEPLECHASE SCHEDULE
9 a.m. - Gates open
10 to 11:45 a.m. -- Hat contest registration at hat contest booth
10 to 11:30 a.m. -- Subscriber tailgate, tent party and picnic box decor contests registration
10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Terrier races and pig races in the infield
10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Carriage rides and pony rides in the infield
11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. -- Hat parade and contest participants should meet at the terrace level hat contest booth; hat parade proceeds to finish line for contest judging
Noon -- Air show and sky dive demonstration
12:15 p.m. -- Parade of Shamrock Hounds
12:30 p.m. -- Bagpipers to the tower
1 p.m. -- Horses to the paddock for the first race
1:30 p.m. -- Race 1: $30,000 Sport of Queens Hurdle
2:10 p.m. -- Race 2: $20,000 Maiden Claiming Hurdle
2:50 p.m. -- Race3: $25,000 Sports of Kings Maiden Hurdle
3:30 p.m. -- Race 4: $75,000 Georgia Cup
3:45 p.m. -- Announcement of subscriber tailgate, tent party, picnic box décor and hat contest winners
4:10 p.m. -- Race 5: $25,000 Sport of Kings Claiming Hurdle
4:45 p.m. -- Race 6: $1,000 Flat Race
9 p.m. -- Gates close
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