Coronavirus

With Louisiana moving into Phase 2, Louisiana Downs will allow spectators as live racing kicks off Saturday. Patrons will be required to enter via a specially marked designated entrance and temperature checks will be conducted. Face masks are not required, but recommended. Only trainers, grooms and jockeys will be permitted in the saddling paddock and no more than six individuals will be allowed in the winner's circle following their race, based on social distancing recommendations. "We have been in daily communication with the Governor's office and were hopeful that we...

Ellis Park will reopen for Historical Horse Racing (HHR) gaming this Monday at 10 a.m. Following coronavirus safety protocols, the facility will be limited to 33% occupancy and every employee and guest will have their temperature measured before entering. Ellis Park has been closed since Mar. 16 due to the global pandemic. Gov. Andy Beshear late Thursday afternoon approved the opening of Kentucky tracks' (HHR) operations starting Monday under similar restrictions placed on restaurants. Gaming terminals available for play will be at least six feet apart, with Ellis Park reconfiguring...

The Maryland Jockey Club announced policy changes Friday at Laurel Park in response to Maryland Governor Hogan's authorization to enter into Phase 2 of the state's Roadmap to Recovery plan. Effective Saturday, June 6, a limited number of owners will be permitted to watch races from the track apron while adhering to the COVID-19 mitigation protocols already in place at the track. Owners must enter the facility at the Clockers' entrance and must display a Maryland Racing Commission badge. The MJC has requested that owners watch their horses race and...

Keeneland has released the condition book for its five-day Summer Meet at Keeneland, to be held Wednesday, July 8 through Sunday, July 12. The condition book is available online at Keeneland.com/racing or by clicking here. "We are excited to offer such a high-quality Condition Book and to have the opportunity to present a number of major graded stakes traditionally held during the Spring Meet," Keeneland Vice President of Racing and Sales Bob Elliston said. "We thank our horsemen for their strong support of Keeneland and our racing program."   Keeneland will...

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced on Thursday that the state's four historical horse racing (HHR) facilities can re-open Monday, June 8 after having been shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) released the following statement in response: "KEEP applauds Governor Beshear's announcement that historical horse racing (HHR) facilities can reopen on June 8, 2020. KEEP commends the Governor and the horse industry for working together on this solution, which will allow the facilities to operate at one-third capacity and provide a safe environment for the...

While many questions regarding the Coronavirus pandemic remain unanswered, and with a stock market experiencing extreme volatility, there is continued uncertainty as to what could happen in our industry over the next few years. But many people in the industry have been through such ambiguity before. We sought the advice of industry leaders who successfully made their way through the Great Recession, and we asked what they learned from it and how they will use their experiences to advance through the coming years. SHANNON POTTER, Town and Country Farms Looking...

The Thoroughbred Racing Economic indicators for the month of May released by Equibase Thursday reflected the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which halted racing in March. Including worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races, wagering was down 30.16% ($908,504,654) from May of 2019 (1,300,923,869). Other figures that showed marked decreases in 2020: • U.S. Purses - $31,971.002 (-72.39%) • U.S. Race days - 123 (-450) • U.S. Races - 1,059 (-70.99%) • U.S. Starts - 9,145 (-64.77%) Figures which showed increases over the corresponding period in 2019 included: Average Field Size,...

The Irish Flat season has been extended an extra week and will end at Naas on Nov. 7, as an updated Irish fixture list was released by Horse Racing Ireland on Thursday. The revised schedule covers August through December and sees an additional 39 race meetings added in the final five months of the year restoring 48 of the 87 fixtures that were lost between the end of March and Irish racing's June 8th resumption. HRI's Director of Racing Jason Morris said, "We have worked closely with all racecourses to...

Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland (The Sport Corp.), has postponed the inaugural Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill until October 14-17, 2021. Originally scheduled for this October, the international three-day eventing competition has been postponed due to health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. The FHOC made the decision in conjunction with the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill planning committee, its competition management partner, Fair Hill International (FHI), and additional constituents including the State of Maryland and Cecil County. "It was a very difficult decision and we are very...

While many questions regarding the Coronavirus pandemic remain unanswered, and with a stock market experiencing extreme volatility, there is continued uncertainty as to what could happen in our industry over the next few years. But many people in the industry have been through such ambiguity before. We sought the advice of industry leaders who successfully made their way through the Great Recession, and we asked what they learned from it and how they will use their experiences to advance through the coming years. TOMMY EASTHAM, Legacy Bloodstock The effects of...

Shug McGaughey joins the TDN Writers' Room to talk about the return of New York racing along with his star four-year-old Code of Honor.

The race was just a $20,000 maiden claimer, but the importance of the moment was not lost on Belmont track announcer John Imbriale, who welcomed racing back to New York Wednesday. "We can finally say...they're off and running at New York's Belmont Park," Imbriale called out as the field burst from the gate. And as Star of the West (Flashback) crossed the wire to win the opener, Imbriale once again recognized that this race was something special. "It's now official. New York sports is back and beautiful Belmont Park is...