Belmont cancels racing due to poor air quality

NEW YORK — Racing at Belmont Park was cancelled and the Washington Nationals’ home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks was postponed Thursday due to poor air quality from wildfires in Canada.

It’s the second straight day the continuing fires north of the border have impacted sports in the northeastern United States. Several MLB games were called off Wednesday amid hazy conditions that have raised alarms from health authorities.

The smoky blanket billowing from wildfires in Quebec and Nova Scotia could persist throughout the weekend. Racing was cancelled at Belmont Park two days before the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, is set to run.