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TRACK CHATTER
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
by Jennifer K. Hancock
SUSPENDED PROGRAMS
On July 5, Lone Star Park officials stopped live Thoroughbred racing at the track upon being notified that an employee involved in racing operations tested positive for COVID-19. But the ripple effect was
felt across the industry as racetracks quickly implemented rules to prevent jockeys and horsemen from possibly transmitting the disease and a consequential shutdown with it.
Two weeks later on July 19, Lone Star Park resumed Thoroughbred racing and welcomed fans – at 50% capacity – back to the venue. The 2020 Thoroughbred racing season began May 22 at the Grand Prairie, Texas, track, and Lone Star began hosting fans June 14.
As many states are experiencing a rise
in COVID-19 positive test results and hospitalizations, tracks are stepping up efforts so that racing operations can continue – and for many jockeys that means picking a colony and sticking with it.
Following Lone Star’s announcement to suspend racing, Indiana Grand issued a press release and pulled up the welcome mat for anyone who had been racing at the Texas track. Indiana Grand Racing and Casino halted the transfer of all jockeys, exercise riders and grooms from Lone Star’s facility to the racing program in Indiana.
The decision to prevent participants coming from Lone Star Park into Indiana was a group effort between Indiana Grand, the horsemen’s organizations and Indiana Horse Racing Commission, and was described by the track as a way “to provide due diligence for the safety of all those currently racing at Indiana Grand.”
Indiana Grand Racecourse stated in a press release, “After consultation with the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, all
jockeys accepting a mount at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino will agree to ride exclusively at the facility. This restriction goes into effect Friday, July 10, 2020 and applies to both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse jockeys.
“If a jockey that is currently riding at Indiana Grand enters another jockeys’ quarters at another racetrack, he or she will not be allowed to return to Indiana Grand without self-quarantining for 14 days. After that time period, the jockey will be required to submit a negative COVID-19 test,” the press release stated.
Indiana Grand’s new policy will remain in effect until further notice, and the track is scheduled to race through Nov. 18.
The Shelbyville, Indiana, track completed its first of four all-Quarter Horse racing programs to record numbers on July 14. A total of $811,380 was wagered to establish a new record for most handle ever on an all- Quarter Horse racing program.
The 13-race program surpassed the previous record of $578,742, which was established on a 10-race card on Aug. 12, 2017. Even with extra races on the card, the record handle was already $50,000 ahead of the previous record set in 2017 after the first nine races were contested.
Three more all-Quarter Horse racing programs are slated for Saturdays in 2020.
FOLLOWING SUIT
Indiana wasn’t alone in quickly implementing new rules. In New Mexico, Ruidoso Downs Race Track also cited
the recent increase in COVID-19 cases throughout the country and especially in Texas when it announced new protocols.
To remain vigilant and protect the race meet, the following order was issued to the Ruidoso Downs jockey colony:
“Effective July 8, 2020, any jockey riding at a track outside New Mexico may not ride at Ruidoso Downs until 14 days from that last out-of-state race.
All riders coming to New Mexico must self-quarantine for 14 days before entering the jockeys’ quarters at Ruidoso Downs.
Any rider named in any race other than at Ruidoso Downs must contact the clerk of scales prior to returning to the Ruidoso jockeys’ quarters.”
Ruidoso’s new rules will remain in place until Sept. 7, 2020.
Fair Meadows at Tulsa also implemented similar new rules in an effort to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trainers in Minnesota, Texas, Florida or Louisiana, who have not been at a racetrack within a 14-day period, are asked to call the OQHRA office (405) 216-0440 if they would like to enter at Fair Meadows at Tulsa. Entries from these respective states will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the track, dependent on the area trainers are traveling from. If the trainers have been at race tracks in Minnesota, Texas, Florida or Louisiana, they will be required to self- quarantine for 14 days before being able to enter at Fair Meadows.
Any jockey who leaves Oklahoma and travels to Minnesota, Texas, Florida or Louisiana must self-quarantine for 14 days upon returning before being permitted to ride at Fair Meadows again.
Prairie Meadows is requiring horses that have been in Texas or Florida to be transferred to a trainer currently stabled at Prairie Meadows before it may be entered in a race at the Altoona, Iowa track. Prairie Meadows is not allowing any essential barn area workers from Texas or Florida to accompany horses shipping to the track.
Got Good News to Share?
Do you have a positive story that you’d like to share? Send photos and news items to Jennifer Hancock: jennifer_k_hancock@hotmail.com.
18 SPEEDHORSE August 2020