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ZIA PARK, Hobbs, New Mexico (runs through Dec. 23)
Zia Park plays host to some of the biggest stakes races on the annual Quarter Horse docket. However, like so many other tracks, the COVID-19 pandemic threatened Zia having a meet at all this year.
Ultimately, Zia Park was able to proceed — albeit on a reduced schedule—and was slated to begin its live meet the first week of October.
It won’t look like a typical Zia meet. Spectators won’t be allowed due to the pandemic, and Zia is running three days a week through Dec. 23 with 36 total dates—as opposed to the originally planned calendar of 56 racing days.
Still, that’s a positive due to the fact that track management and state racing officials were considering not running at all at Zia this summer. In August, a teleconference was held with more than 50 attendees that included notables such as New Mexico Horsemen’s Association Executive Director Richard Erhard and Chris McErlean, VP of racing at Penn National Gaming Inc., the company that
owns Zia Park. At the time, there was doubt on the viability of a live racing meet due to the continued closure of racetrack casinos because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ultimately, Zia Park management made the decision to go ahead—albeit with some changes. In addition to fewer racing dates, the Hobbs Futurity and Derby were canceled with all nomination fees refunded. If casinos are allowed to resume operations by Nov. 1, Zia
plans to add an extra racing date per week for the final four weeks of its 2020 meet.
Zia Park also issued a memo stipulating protocols for participants during this year’s meet. Access has been limited to essential personnel only, and everyone entering the barn area is required to sign a waiver and release form related to potential COVID-19 exposure. Zia also plans to conduct daily temperature screenings at entrances to the barn area, denying entry for a minimum of 14 days for anyone with a fever of 100.3 or above.
Facemasks and social distancing are required—and the penalties for not adhering to the policy are harsh. If someone does not adhere to either mandate, they receive one warning. If a second violation occurs, that individual is ejected from the grounds at
Zia Park for a minimum of one year. The requirements for facial coverings extend to all individuals on horseback: trainers, jockeys, gallopers, etc.
“This year has been a roller coaster to date and while our 2020 season will be shortened, we are glad to be able to provide the New Mexico racing industry with a needed bridge
in terms of racing opportunities and stabling,” Bill Belcher, Zia Park vice president and general manager, said in a press release.
EVANGELINE DOWNS, Opelousas, Louisiana (runs through Dec. 19)
A unanimous 10-0 vote by the Louisiana State Racing Commission confirmed that Evangeline Downs would open its Quarter
Horse meet on Oct. 1. This year, the Evangeline meet will include 10 days of racing that originally was scheduled for Fair Grounds in New Orleans this past spring but got canceled due to the pandemic.
Evangeline Downs plans to run Thursdays through Saturdays in October, and then shift to a Wednesday through Saturday schedule in November.
Evangeline Downs also has released a list of protocols related to COVID-19.
Spectators are allowed, but occupancy is limited, and every attendee is encouraged to use and wear a facial covering. Hand sanitizer will be made available on a complimentary basis for all guests. Staff will clean and disinfect frequently trafficked areas multiple times each day with products approved by
the Environmental Protection Agency. That includes more frequent cleaning of the HVAC system at the track and replacements of the air filters.
Evangeline already ran its Thoroughbred meet earlier this year and is expected to follow the same protocols for the barn area: adhering to social distancing, recommending wearing facial coverings, and having temperature checks daily before receiving access to the barn or stalls.
FRESNO COUNTY FAIR, Fresno, California • Canceled
The scheduled meet has been canceled with those racing dates moved to Golden Gate Fields, with that venue extending its meet through Oct. 18 as a result of the change.
TRACK UPDATES
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