Coronavirus

Turf Paradise has announced that it is ending its season immediately due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, and to assist Arizona in slowing the spread of the illness. Recently Governor Doug Ducey declared a public health emergency and he signed a bill that would spend $55 million in Arizona to combat the virus. The track's Clubhouse and Turf's network of Off Track Betting locations will remain open for simulcasting at other tracks. Live racing had been scheduled to run until May 3. Live racing at Turf Paradise will resume in...

At 8 p.m. Saturday evening, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced stricter social distancing measures due to the coronavirus, and that all places non-essential to French living including restaurants, cafes, cinemas and clubs, will be closed beginning at midnight on Saturday, Jour de Galop reported. At this time, French racecourses, which are currently racing without spectators for the foreseeable future, will remain open. France Galop's President Edouard de Rothschild and Managing Director Olivier Delloye both confirmed late Saturday evening to the JDG that racing will continue in "closed camera" mode,...

Following the announcement of the cancellation of the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale on Friday afternoon, the atmosphere at the OBS March Sale was tense. Becky Thomas of Sequel Bloodstock made an analogy. "There was a movie years ago with Jim Carrey called the Truman Show, where Jim Carrey did not realize he was actually the subject of a TV series. That's the way I feel. We're going through the motions, but we don't really know if it's real or not." Consignors gathered in the barns following the breeze show, expecting to...

Churchill Downs issued the following statement regarding COVID-19 and the status of the GI Kentucky Derby Saturday afternoon. "During times of uncertainty, our traditions provide a great sense of comfort. We realize, that for many of you, the Kentucky Derby is a treasured annual tradition, and for others, a bucket-list experience. The time-honored traditions of the Kentucky Derby are as much about the fans as the race itself. We recognize that the impact of this iconic event extends well beyond the historic racetrack of Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Derby is...

All-sources handle rose sharply Friday at Aqueduct compared to the second Friday in March last year as the track held races without spectators due to the Coronavirus pandemic. A total of $4,614,051 was bet on a nine-race card, compared to $3,585,745 on Friday, Mar. 8, which was also a nine-race card. "The health and safety of employees, fans, horsemen and the backstretch community is paramount," said NYRA's Patrick McKenna in a statement sent to TDN Friday evening. "In addition to closing Aqueduct to all fans, we have taken additional steps...

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company reiterated its decision to continue on with its March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, scheduled for next Tuesday and Wednesday, amid COVID-19 concerns which have prompted Keeneland to cancel its April 2-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale scheduled for Apr. 7 and Fasig-Tipton to cancel its Apr. 1 Gulfstream Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training. "We are moving forward with the sale," confirmed OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski Friday evening shortly after a meeting of shareholders. "We have been listening to...

Fasig-Tipton and The Stronach Group announced Friday that the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training, scheduled for Apr. 1, would be cancelled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gulfstream Park had already announced late Thursday that racing would be conducted without spectators, indefinitely. "While disappointing, canceling the Gulfstream Sale is the most prudent and responsible decision we can make in light of the rapidly changing circumstances associated with COVID-19," said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. "With the facility closures at Gulfstream, it prevents us from conducting the auction. The...

In a way that nobody ever envisioned or wanted, the gambling part of our industry is about to have a massive social experiment imposed upon it: For the near-term future, betting on horse races will be pretty much the only form of sports wagering in America. In an effort to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus, professional basketball and hockey have suspended their schedules. Major league baseball's season opening has been pushed back. The NCAA basketball tournament has been canceled outright. Racing's response to the coronavirus has been different,...

With escalating fears over the spread of coronavirus, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort has decided to run all races this weekend without on-site spectators, it was announced late Thursday evening. Saturday's card is headed by the $1-million GII Rebel S. for 3-year-olds. Oaklawn President Louis Cella said, "We represent the sport of kings. As such, we will act in a similar fashion to other sports organizations throughout the country. The health and safety of our fans, horsemen, and team members have always been and will continue to be our top priorities."...

It remains business as usual at the Cheltenham Festival, despite a Premier League football match being postponed on Wednesday because of the coronavirus outbreak. The Premier League announced in the early hours that Manchester City's home fixture against Arsenal would be postponed due to the fact Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis - who has since tested positive for the virus - visited the Gunners for the clubs' Europa League tie on February 27. Marinakis, also the majority owner of Nottingham Forest, met several Arsenal players and staff, the Premier League said...

All sporting events, including racing, have been suspended in Italy until at least Apr. 3 due the coronavirus, Jour de Galop reported on Tuesday. The Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte made the announcement, which follows on the heels of Italy instating a nationwide quarantine on Monday. In addition to the country's sporting events, restaurants and bars close at 6 p.m. and, if entering a store, customers must maintain a one-metre distance from each other. All public gatherings have also been suspended in Italy. As of 6 p.m. Central European Time...

Yonkers Raceway canceled live racing Tuesday night after John Brennan, the Standardbred Owners Association of New York Director representing horsemen at Yonkers, passed away Tuesday from Coronavirus. The New Jersey resident was the state's first reported victim of Coronavirus.    DRF Harness originally reported Brennan's death and the Yonkers cancellation, but had not confirmed a connection. Harness Racing Update received confirmation from SOA of N.Y. President Joe Faraldo that racing was cancelled due to an "abundance of caution." HRU also reported that Faraldo has a fever and his doctor is...