*** UPDATE *** Today’s “celebrity” harness race has been canceled. Apparently, all the other cancellations have created a crowded card today and they can’t get to us. So, maybe tomorrow or Thursday. I’ll let you know.

* SJ-R…

Horsemen worked in their barns and watched the sky instead of racing at the Illinois State Fair Monday afternoon as all racing for the day was once again canceled due to unfavorable track conditions.

Heavy rain Thursday, a morning shower Monday and bits of rain in between forced officials to cancel races on Friday, Saturday and Monday because the 1-mile track was too muddy. But officials hope rescheduled races set for today, Wednesday and Thursday will go off without any trouble.

“I’ve been doing this for 20 years, and there has never been three cancellations of horse racing,” state fair race manager Jim Hannon said Monday.

“So far we’re keeping our fingers crossed. I’m looking at the track right now. We’ll be ready to race tomorrow if there’s no rain,” he said, adding that there isn’t much workers can do aside from watch the dirt dry and hope it doesn’t get wet again.

I’ll be competing once again in the “celebrity” harness race today at 1 o’clock, barring yet another rain cancellation. The forecast looks pretty good, so keep your fingers crossed. So take a late lunch break at the fairgrounds today and bring a corn dog to the Grandstand.

* By the way, because of this race and a big birthday party for members of my family, blogging could be pretty light this afternoon. I’ll have my laptop with me, though.