Coronavirus

During his daily press briefing, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday that all racetracks in the state can resume racing June 1. Since June 1 is a Monday, normally a dark day, it is likely that Belmont will not open until a few days afterward. NYRA has been shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic since Aqueduct last ran Mar. 15. Cuomo's announcement also paves the way for Finger Lakes and the state's harness tracks to reopen. "NYRA and the New York racing community are thankful for Governor Cuomo's...

In the wake of Friday's announcement that racing will begin again in Ireland on June 8, Horse Racing Ireland on Saturday published a protocol document outlining the procedures that will be in place for operation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The procedures, developing by HRI in consultation with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, must be undertaken by all racecourses hosting fixtures. A series of educational webinars will be announced next week to further assist understanding. "We have worked closely with the IHRB and the Senior Medical Officer Dr Jennifer Pugh in...

Santa Anita was up and running Friday, the first time racing had been held at the Southern California racetrack since Mar. 22. All that was missing were fans in the stands. The card was strong, the handle was robust and it appeared that the many strict protocols put in place by Santa Anita didn't affect the racing. "We're, overall, really happy with how things went," said Aidan Butler, who heads the California racing operation for The Stronach Group. "It is so good to be back racing. From a logistics standpoint,...

Despite a proclamation issued Thursday by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds allowing the state's horse and dog tracks to re-open to spectator-free racing, officials at Prairie Meadows in Altoona have elected to remain closed, declaring that it is still unsafe to conduct live racing. "At Prairie Meadows, we care deeply about the health and well-being of our family of employees, our guests, the horsemen, and our community," said Prairie Meadows President & CEO Gary Palmer. "This is a position in which we have been steadfast since deciding to close our full...

Officials at Tampa Bay Downs are seeking approval from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to continue hold live racing into the month of June, a total of eight dates on Mondays and Wednesdays, in an effort to "bolster horsemen uncertain of their next step," according to a release from the track. Tampa Bay Downs is currently racing each Wednesday, Friday and Saturday through May 30. The meeting ends June 30, which is also the first day of the track's 'Summer Festival of Racing.' The program on July...

Churchill Downs will honor the high school class of 2020 from schools all across the city by lighting up the track's iconic Twin Spires. A schedule of colors has been established from Saturday, May 16 (opening day) through Friday, May 22, to honor the area's graduating seniors. "Through the years, lighting the Twin Spires has been our unique way of celebrating a special achievement or showing that we care," said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. "Through the COVID-19 pandemic, we've been able to join our fellow Kentuckians in...

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has confirmed that it has been given the green light by government for racing to resume from Monday, June 8. Early on Friday afternoon, Fine Gael politician Peter Burke stated on Twitter, "Horse Racing to return behind closed doors with strict protocols from June 8th. Much needed certainty for the sector." HRI later issued a statement in support of this which read, "Horse Racing Ireland today welcomed the confirmation from the Government that race fixtures in Ireland can resume behind closed doors on June 8. Only...

Brice Blanc is rested, swabbed, needled and raring to go. "It'll be good to get back to work," said the jockey, who's scheduled to ride Friday at Santa Anita before a grandstand empty of spectators--the track's first day of live racing since March 22. To get the green-light to ride, Blanc underwent a blood test Wednesday to see whether he carries antibodies showing that he's already been exposed to Covid-19. He was also given a nasal swab to see if he's currently infectious. "It wasn't that bad," said Blanc, of...

The British Horseracing Authority is working its plans for a return of racing off a June 1 resumption date that will begin with a meeting at Newcastle, it revealed on Thursday evening. The governing body had released further details on Wednesday of its plans for the first seven days of racing's return, including dates for the season's first four Classics, without a concrete start date, but a release on Thursday began, "Following the UK Government's publication of a provisional timeline for the return of sport, we are now planning for...

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a lot of discussion and reporting on how quarantine, shutdowns, safety protocols and the shift in the sales calendar has affected trainers, backstretch workers, owners and sales companies. However, very little has been said about how it affects the breeders, who are the backbone of the Thoroughbred industry. Only one 2-year-old sale, the OBS March Sale, has been held so far this year with many of the other juvenile sales being postponed or even canceled. Fasig-Tipton has combined their July, Saratoga and New...

Woodbine has been given approval to race without spectators as part of Stage 1 of the Ontario government's framework to gradually reopen the Province. Stage 1 is scheduled to start May 19. "This is great news for the sport of horse racing and the tens of thousands of people it employs throughout the Province," said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "With this news, our plans to resume Standardbred racing at Mohawk Park on June 5 and Thoroughbred racing on June 6 at Woodbine remain on track. We appreciate the government's...

The Breeders' Cup debuted branded face masks Thursday, currently available for pre-order at  BreedersCupShop.com. The masks feature the brand's signature horsehead profile printed with its traditional purple background. All proceeds will be donated to Breeders' Cup Charities for COVID-19 relief efforts. One face mask can be pre-ordered for $15 or a pack of three masks for $25, and each purchase will arrive with disposable filters. Each reusable face mask features an elastic band and an interior pouch for anti-dust filters. "As the world continues to adapt to the new normal,...