Page 88 - Speedhorse June 2020

Remington Park
2020 RACE MEET Remington Park concludes amid coronavirus
by Tracy Gantz
The timing of Remington Park’s 2020 Quarter Horse race meeting mirrored the path of the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in perhaps the biggest challenges in the Oklahoma racetrack’s 32-year history. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. endured massive business closures. Yet Remington Park remained open
by constantly updating its safety protocols and through coordinated efforts of track management and employees, Oklahoma horsemen, and the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission.
For much of the meet, racing had to be conducted without spectators. Remington was able to bring back fans, albeit at lower capacity
to ensure proper social distancing, for its final two weeks of racing in late May. And during the early days of quarantine, Remington was the
only racing signal in the country, leading to huge increases in off-track wagering and Quarter Horse racing being introduced to many new people.
“We were fortunate that we broke a lot of records,” said Matt Vance, vice president of racing operations at Remington Park. “The selling of our signal—our export out—was up 324%. Our total handle was up 272% for the 2020 meet.”
How Remington Park navigated the path to keeping racing going for the good of the industry is a testament to teamwork, both within the organization and from other industry participants. Their efforts kept people employed and healthy, ensured the continuation of purse money, and allowed horses to perform the job they love.
Remington Park opened March 6 to a normal scenario. Quickly, however, the viral threat changed the world.
“We made the best of a terrible situation,” said Vance. “It was March 16 when we closed the building down. We announced that we would remain open for spectator-free racing.”
Remington management worked closely with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, under whose auspices the OHRC operates. Remington officials emphasized the importance of racehorses needing continual exercise and people to care for them.
“It’s not like these horses can be sent back home and turned out for a few weeks,” said Vance. “If we had shut down for a couple
of weeks and then brought it back, it would be great expense to the owners and breeders.
And then there are the people who are on the backstretch. From a humanitarian standpoint, we were doing the right thing. We knew the responsibility we had to keep it going.”
Fortunately, the jobs of backstretch personnel are naturally somewhat socially distant, as grooms generally work one-on-one with their charges. Even hot-walking requires distance between horses, as does galloping around a racetrack.
Remington immediately put safety protocols in place, restricting access to licensed personnel only. Temperatures were taken each day when people came to work. Vance complimented track owner Global Gaming, noting that Remington didn’t have to furlough any employees. Those who could work from home were allowed to do so.
“We never lost any racing days,” said Vance. “And I give credit to the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association, particularly their executive director, Kole Kennemer; Krissy Bamberg, director of special projects and the daughter of (the late) Debbie Schauf; and (board member) Butch Wise.”
The OQHRA worked in tandem with Remington and the OHRC to keep Remington
86 SPEEDHORSE June 2020
Matt Vance, Remington Park vice president of racing operations.