NYRA suspends racing after backstretch worker tests positive
 

NYRA suspends live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack will be suspended until further notice due to changing circumstances in the racing community relative to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

A backstretch worker who lives and works at Belmont Park tested positive this morning for the coronavirus. Following NYRA's Preparedness and Response Plan, the worker has been quarantined since developing symptoms the morning of Friday, March 13. His roommate was also quarantined at that time.

Unfortunately dominoes will probably start to fall FAST now regarding racing. Hope we can at least get through the weekend

https://www.drf.com/news/aqueduct-su...ve-coronavirus

Aqueduct suspends live racing after groom tests positive for coronavirus

David Grening
Mar 19, 2020

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Aqueduct will have to suspend live racing operations immediately and indefinitely after a groom who lives and works on the backstretch at Belmont Park tested positive for the coronavirus, the New York Racing Association announced Thursday afternoon.

The worker tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday after undergoing a test on Monday. He had developed symptoms for the virus on March 13 and both he and his roommate had been quarantined since. Neither individual traveled to Aqueduct for live racing last weekend, according to NYRA CEO and president Dave O’Rourke.

“We are working with the County and State departments of health to ensure proper quarantine and sterilization practices will continue to be followed moving forward,” O’Rourke said in a press release.

“We are focused on ensuring the health and safety of our entire backstretch community as well as the horses in their care,” O’Rourke added. “Accordingly, we are immediately suspending racing operations until further notice to devote all our attention and resources to this effort.”

NYRA did not give a timetable for when racing on this circuit could resume.

Aqueduct was scheduled to race Friday through Sunday for the final two weeks of March. There are 13 days of racing scheduled at Aqueduct in April, but those cards – including the April 4 program that is topped by the Grade 2 Wood Memorial and Grade 1 Carter – are very much in jeopardy.

Racing is scheduled to move to Belmont Park on April 24.

Currently, there are approximately 550 people who live on the backstretch and there are about 1,500 horses stabled at Belmont. Training will continue at Belmont.

“At this point in the COVID-19 crisis, we all need to be 100 percent focused on the health of our staff and the welfare of our horses,” Joe Appelbaum, the president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association said. “When the industry comes out on the other side of this – and we will – having as many healthy horses and humans as possible will be paramount.”

Appelbaum said there are “grab and go” food options being made available to those who live on the backstretch.

Appelbaum said the recreation areas on the backstretch have been closed so there is no place to assemble.

“We have a number of employees who don’t work on the backstretch,” Appelbaum said. “We’re trying to work through how to handle that.”

NYRA conducted three days of racing last week with no spectators and limited access for owners. It was planning to continue racing Friday with no spectators and no owners allowed on the grounds.

New York has had the most positive tests for the coronavirus in the country with 4,152 cases, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. There have been 372 cases in Nassau County where Belmont is located.

Aqueduct adds to a list of East Coast tracks that have shuttered racing operations, including Parx and Penn National. Monmouth Park has pushed back its scheduled opening day to May 23.

Keeneland, in Lexington, Ky., has canceled its spring meet and, of course, Churchill Downs postponed the Kentucky Derby until Sept. 5 and has not yet made a determination on when its spring meet will open.

Horsemen who were unable to race at Parx were starting to enter horses at Aqueduct. There were eight Parx-based horses entered for Saturday. Sunday’s card, which was drawn on Thursday, had 94 entrants, including 10 horses who were based at Parx.

While Laurel Park is open for racing, it announced on Thursday afternoon that it would only accept horses that are currently stabled on the grounds at Laurel or Pimlico.

NYRA is also not allowing horses to ship in to Belmont from out of town for the immediate future.

This was only a matter of time. All racing will be shut down soon.

I wonder if Gulfstream will race after the Florida Derby. I hope so.

I'm almost afraid to ask....and my apologies if this has already been asked....has there been any word on the Saratoga meet?

Maragh and Ortiz both tweeted today that they will not ride anymore, for the time being.

Gulfstream to "pause" Friday. Back to racing Saturday with new safety protocols

What protocols are they able to put in place that will make things safer?

Likely disinfect everything in sight starting with jock's room, start daily screenings for all personnel like KEE is doing, etc.

Probably.

Who knows if the SA Derby will be able to be run? I don’t see how Oaklawn can continue since Sean Payton was there - how are they not shutting down? The Wood is all but gone. I feel like the 3 year olds are all going to have to be put away and miss most of their year...they can’t stay in training with no place to run. In fact, I’m not sure how they can even run the late summer or fall races because there’s soon going to be nowhere to run, and if the horses are turned out, they will need time to get in racing shape - and for that they need many weeks advance notice that the races will be run. I don’t see how that’s possible.

The following protocols have been implemented at Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and the Maryland Jockey Club and are now in force at Gulfstream Park, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows.

Controlled Access and Documentation:

Following recommended guidelines by health and government authorities, limited gatherings will be enforced in compliance with current recommendations for social distancing.
These specific areas include the Receiving Barn, Saddling Barn, Jockeys’ Room, Grandstand, Track Kitchen, Morning Clocker Stands
Only horses racing and shipping from in-state training centers – and accompanied by essential, licensed personnel – will be allowed to the stable entry gates.
Once at the stable entry gate, essential personnel will be tested by American Medical Response (AMR).
Horses will only be allowed to enter the stable areas of Gulfstream Park, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Security personnel at Gulfstream Park, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows will log personnel allowed in those areas by name, date and time.

Restricted Access to the Grandstand/Saddling Paddock:

Only trainers and essential personnel licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Racing who have horses running that day are allowed on the track in the afternoon.
Essential personnel include racing officials as designated by the state, safety staff (ambulance drivers, track maintenance crew) and specialized janitorial staff to sanitize the facility
To limit outside exposure, no owners, media or fans will be allowed on the track.
No guests, no exceptions.
No congregating in any areas.
Walking ring is closed to everyone other than personnel required to accompany each horse to and from the saddling barn or racetrack. Jockeys will get on their horses in the saddling barn, not the paddock, and proceed directly to the racetrack for the post parade and warm up.
All starting gates will be disinfected between every race and all gate crew will be required to wear gloves and will have no physical contact between them.

• Additional sanitation and handwashing stations have been installed at Gulfstream Park.
  
• Escalated cleaning schedules throughout relevant facilities, including a focused sanitization on high touch areas such as doorknobs, buttons, handrails, counter tops.
  
• All non-essential personnel will not be permitted on grounds.
  
• Non-essential personnel to be prohibited includes all public service employees (e.g., food service, wagering tellers, ushers, admission staff).
  
• No wagering or food service available in the grandstand.
  
• Press Box will be closed.
  
• Official chart callers to use their designated office space only.

Restricted Access to the Jockeys’ Room and Jockeys’ Room Protocol:

• Only essential personnel licensed by the state and jockeys scheduled to ride in races will be allowed in the Jockeys’ Room
• All jockeys and essential personnel only in the Jockeys’ Room (including Valets and Clerk of the Scales) will have their temperatures tested daily. Anyone showing any signs of illness will be denied access to the premises.
• Jockeys’ Room lockers and workstations will be spaced a minimum of the required six feet apart.
• All jockeys will be required to wear riding gloves at all times.
• Jockeys are prohibited from any physical contact between themselves and others.
• Jockeys are required to leave the Jockeys’ Room immediately following their last ride.
• Sauna and extraneous facilities are closed. Showers will remain open and will be sanitized frequently throughout the day.
• Travel for jockeys will be restricted and a 14-day mandatory self-quarantine is in effect for all jockeys and personnel who have travelled internationally.

Restricted Access to Stables and Morning Training:

• Only trainers with horses stabled at Gulfstream Park, Gulfstream Park West, Palm Meadows and essential personnel licensed by the state who are responsible for the care of the horses (veterinarians, grooms, exercise riders, farriers) are allowed in the stable area.
• All personnel will be required to sign in and out each time they enter and exit the stable area
• Stable cafeteria will remain open to serve essential personnel only.
• Users will be encouraged to carry out their food.
• All public areas of the grandstand will be closed for morning workouts, including all private clockers.