Coronavirus

During the Great Depression, horse racing developed into one of America's favorite pastimes as it became a welcome distraction from the hardships and fears of the economic climate gripping the country. Horses like Seabiscuit, Equipoise and War Admiral rose to prominence as they captured the imagination of a nation seeking a break from the challenges and uncertainties of everyday life. Unfortunately, starting in the 1960's, racing began its slow trajectory towards becoming a niche sport. Unlike the NFL, NBA, NCAA or even PGA, it did little to integrate the advances...

Santa Anita issued the following statement Thursday regarding a possible resumption of live racing: "Santa Anita is continuing discussions with the LA County Health Department and LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger's office as they undertake a thorough and thoughtful review of the proposal submitted to resume live racing as soon as possible at Santa Anita. The comprehensive written proposal was submitted last Thursday (Apr. 16), following a meeting with Supervisor Barger earlier that day. While Santa Anita is first and foremost in our minds, we are one of literally hundreds...

Turf Paradise management and the Arizona horsemen have come to an agreement that will see the track remain open for stabling an extra 10 days. The track was scheduled to close its doors to the roughly 740 horses currently stabled there on the last day of April. Nevertheless, the track will remain open those extra 10 days for stabling only, and not training, meaning exercise will be limited to the barn area. "If this thing lasts longer than those 10 [days], then I think we'll probably be able to get...

Despite the world seemingly on hold, the TAA is moving forward, albeit with some improvisation given the circumstances, but forward nonetheless. Specifically, the accreditation process for 2020 is well underway and functioning as normal as the team is currently reviewing the submitted applications. Now more than ever, our 74 accredited organizations with their 160 facilities need support. We are striving to maintain regular contact with these aftercare soldiers on the ground and provide them with as much information and assistance as possible. Although informal surveys do not suggest a wave...

Dortmund Racecourse will hold the first German race meeting since the coronavirus halted racing in that country earlier this year, Galopponline.de reported on Thursday. Racing was originally scheduled to resume on May 1, but government regulations have prevented three meetings-Hannover (May 1), Mannheim (May 2) and Cologne (May 3) from going forward. It is hoped they will be rescheduled beginning on May 5th. "We have worked a lot in the past few days and have been in constant contact with governments, local authorities and the racecourses since then, Michael Vesper,...

As a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Churchill Downs announced it will delay the reopening of its stable areas at both Churchill Downs Racetrack and the auxiliary training center Trackside to at least Tuesday, May 5. The opening of the 2020 Spring Meet, originally scheduled for Apr. 25, will also been postponed and a determination of the exact starting date will be made closer to the opening of the backstretch. Churchill Downs officials are in ongoing discussions with state and local officials and public health experts about reopening its...

Churchill Downs will host a day-long at-home Kentucky Derby party in an effort to raise $2 million for COVID-19 emergency relief efforts. With this season's Kentucky Derby postponed until Sept. 5 due to the coronavirus pandemic, a special broadcast will be aired on NBC May 2, from 3 to 6 p.m. EST. The telecast will feature American Pharoah's 2015 Kentucky Derby in addition to Churchill Downs' first ever virtual horse race--The Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown, a computer-simulated version of a race. "For many fans around the country, the first...

In this week's TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland, NYTHA president Joe Appelbaum joined the crew as the Green Group Guest of the Week to talk about when we can expect to see racing again in New York, the efforts to help Belmont backstretch workers, his personal betting strategies and much more. "The situation on the backstretch has improved considerably, not unlike the rest of the situation in New York City," Appelbaum said. "In Nassau County, we're functioning. We have close to 1,500 horses there. They're training six days a...

A pair of workers at Turfway Park--one backstretch worker and one track employee--have tested positive for coronavirus in recent weeks, according to a report first published by Blood-Horse. Turfway's parent company Churchill Downs ended the Turfway meet--which had been being conducted without spectators--three days earlier than scheduled last month, citing Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear's "Healthy at Home" executive order. Churchill Downs, Inc. spokesperson Tonya Abeln confirmed to the TDN Wednesday that the ill backstretch worker was symptomatic more than two weeks ago and was subsequently hospitalized and tested positive for...

Following the news that mass gatherings of over 5,000 people have been banned in Ireland until Sept. 1, the 2020 Galway Races Summer Festival, provisionally scheduled for July 27-Aug. 2, will be held without spectators due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Galway Race Committee announced on Tuesday. As it currently stands, the meeting will be conducted in accordance with Irish government policy and with the approval of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and the Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board. This spectatorless scenario is currently being worked on, and an update...

Officials at York are considering all options as to how the season will proceed in light of the coronavirus crisis. The track called off next month's Dante Festival last week when the British Horseracing Authority announced an extension to the suspension of racing, with spectators ruled out until June even if action has resumed. The BHA has outlined a phased return when the Government says it is safe to do so, with plans in place for racing behind closed doors on the Flat as soon as that becomes the case,...

A trio of Japanese 2-year-old sales have been changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The news was first reported in Blood-Horse. Nakayama Racecourse was due to host the 83-lot Japan Racing Association's Breeze-Up Sale on Apr. 28, but the sale has now become an online auction only. All confirmation photos, breeze videos and vet reports will be available on the JRA website. Virtual bids will be accepted from buyers from Apr. 28-30. The Hidaka Breeders' Association's May 12 Hokkaido Training Sale has been cancelled, with all 162 juveniles available for...