Racing Officials Keeping Eye on COVID-19 Developments

The sporting world is being upended as local, state, and national policies toward stemming the spread of COVID-19 are being put in place. This is a story that will likely be updated on an hourly basis.

Last night President Donald Trump addressed the nation and unveiled several measures including a 30-day ban on travel to the United States by Europeans and restrictions on cargo and the National Basketball Association suspended its season after a player tested positive for the virus. The NCAA has announced that it's men's and women's basketball tournaments will be played without fans.

Racing awaits word from individual jurisdictions and tracks.

Here's what we know at present:

California Gov. Gavin Newsome announced late yesterday that the state's public health officials issued an updated policy to protect public health:

"The state's public health experts have determined that gatherings should be postponed or canceled across the state until at least the end of March. Non-essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people, while smaller events can proceed only if the organizers can implement social distancing of 6 feet per person. Gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people, while also following social distancing guidelines."

We expect to receive updates from Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields.

Santa Anita has already canceled the March 13 program due to weather concerns and has also moved the San Simeon Stakes (G3T), slated for March 14, to March 21, and the Irish O'Brien Stakes, originally scheduled for March 15, to March 22.

CURRENT UPDATES:

Oaklawn Park in Arkansas issued a release early March 14 that the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort intends to remain open.

"The safety of our guests and Team Members is our highest priority," the statement read. "As such, we are actively taking the appropriate preventative measures to address COVID-19 (coronavirus). We have expanded many of our standard sanitary procedures including, but not limited to: Providing more hand sanitizer dispensers across our property; increasing the frequency of all of our cleaning activities in our racing and casino areas, including, restrooms, restaurants, bars, entrance/exit doors, etc.; ensuring our protocols for cleaning and sanitation meet or exceed the guidelines of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and that of local and state health authorities.

As originally reported March 11 by Frank Angst, the 2020 annual racing integrity and equine welfare conference of the Association of Racing Commissioners International, scheduled for April 7-10, in New Orleans, La, has been cancelled as a result of the public health concerns associated with the spread of COVID-19.

Also, New York Thoroughbred Breeders announced March 12 that the organization's divisional champions award banquet, slated for April 6 at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., has been canceled because of COVID-19. The group will publicly announce the winners as planned April 6 via their website and social media channels.

This story will be updated.