Coronavirus

Asked in his daily coronavirus briefing Wednesday about the potential opening of Saratoga Race Course this summer, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that he thinks a decision will likely have to be made on a statewide, if not region-wide level. He added that his concern is if Saratoga is opened alone without coordination with other counties and states, it could see even more demand than usual, leading to density issues. He didn't address and wasn't asked about the possibility of Saratoga conducting racing without spectators. "You can't open an...

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association compiled a summary of benefits available to owners under the latest federal COVID-19 legislation. Benefits available to horse owners includes: Tax Benefits: Owners may be entitled to some new tax benefits that allow them to file amended returns for prior years and get cash in the form of tax refunds. Net operating losses can now be carried back for up to five years. This applies to C corporations and individuals who generate net business losses. The IRS is currently accepting faxed refund requests in order...

Santa Anita's backstretch community, led by such trainers as Bob Baffert and Doug O'Neill, descended upon downtown Los Angeles Tuesday morning outside the LA County Board of Supervisors meeting building to put a human face to calls for the resumption of live racing at the Arcadia track. Around 50-60 people attended the demonstration. In a speech captured on video--and posted online--Baffert said that he'd like to see racing open again to help the families who work so hard on the backstretch and who are following proper social-distancing protocols. The board...

In a Classic season blighted by the coronavirus pandemic, Oaklawn rounds out its winter meet with not one but two renewals of the GI Arkansas Derby. Facing a tough group of contenders in Saturday's second division of the Classic prep, including undefeated Nadal (Blame), winner of the GII San Vicente S. and GII Rebel S., and GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby hero King Guillermo (Uncle Mo), defending juvenile champion Storm the Court (Court Vision) will try to recover some of the sparkle from his 2-year-old season. This year, he...

We hope this finds you and your family well. It's hard to believe that this is typically a week with so much buzz and excitement in our industry leading into the first Saturday of May. We look forward to the days when our industry is fully up and running again. Toward this goal, Keeneland is committed to doing everything possible to ensure a safe and secure environment for conducting Thoroughbred auctions this fall and to maintain market stability. As you saw yesterday, Fasig-Tipton has moved its July and Saratoga yearling...

To help equine charities in this time of need, Equine Equipment is working with Exmark and local dealers in its new "Now More Than Ever" giving campaign to facilitate the donation of eight 21" Exmark commercial mowers valued at $1,200 each to local charities in Florida. Similar donations are in the works for other locations around the country with up to 50 charities receiving support. "We've always tried to do our part to give back to the industry, and we believe that to be more important than ever right now,"...

Everyone in the bloodstock industry can see the bump in the road ahead. It's just a case of getting across without causing lasting damage to the engine. As such, European horsemen Tuesday applauded the dovetailing of North America's premier yearling sales as the type of wholesome collaboration required to tackle a crisis that transcends borders and oceans, never mind commercial rivalries. True, one or two quibbles could be heard on the other side of the pond. On the whole, however, Monday's announcement by Fasig-Tipton—positioning a two-day sale in Lexington, as...

Birmingham Race Course, a former Thoroughbred track in Alabama that has exclusively run greyhounds since 1995, has announced it will no longer be in the business of live racing, making it the first North American pari-mutuel venue to close in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report by the Associated Press, management wants the track to remain open for simulcasting and historical horse race gaming, which it launched last autumn. Birmingham last raced live Mar. 18, but the facility has been closed since then because of a...

In our Global Views column, we hear from trainees of Godolphin Flying Start. Adversity is simply the change that we have not adapted to yet. It is an inevitable aspect of life and often reflects negative circumstances, however, it is a vital component of growth. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause widespread disruptions to our industry, it is time to rise to the challenge. Times of challenge bring unique opportunities. While racing is suspended in many jurisdictions, the remaining regions have an opportunity to showcase the sport to a...

A New York Times study published Tuesday reporting where the COVID-19 outbreak is peaking and waning based on per-capita population statistics shows that Grand Island, Nebraska, where Fonner Park is located, is currently second in the nation in terms of news cases reported in the last two weeks. Grand Island has a population of 85,000. The Times reported 764 coronavirus cases there in the last two weeks, meaning the per-thousand infection number is 8.98. Only Marion, Ohio, was higher (32.13) based on per-capita rankings. On Apr. 22, the Nebraska Racing...

Pattern racing is due to return at Cologne in Germany next Friday with the G2 Carl Jespers Preis and the G3 Cologne Classic, and North Yorkshire-based trainer Karl Burke is hoping he will be permitted to run Kelly's Dino (Fr) (Doctor Dino {Fr}) and Emaraty Hero (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in those 12 and 10 furlong contests, respectively. "I'm not sure we will be allowed to run, but I've not heard for definite yet," Burke said. "We want to run, the horses are ready to run, but having spoken...

Editor's note: Last week, the TDN ran a video urging people to donate to the New York Race Track Chaplaincy food pantry, which helps to provide food for the roughly 3,500 people who work with racehorses in New York. It has been viewed over 10,000 times, and the response has been heartwarming. Chaplain Humberto Chavez asked for the opportunity to say thank you. He recorded this podcast with the TDN's Patty Wolfe. Excerpts appear below. Click the play button to hear this as a podcast.  [audio mp3="https://wp.tdn.pmadv.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Humberto-Chavez-Thoroughbred-People-v1.mp3"][/audio] PW: This has...