COVID-19 Update: Santa Anita, GG Closed to Public

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 and many major conference tournaments have been canceled.

The racing world is reacting as well. At about 1:30 p.m. ET Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields announced that they would close to the public effective immediately. Both tracks, operated by The Stronach Group, will continue to race as scheduled, with personnel licensed by the California Horse Racing Board allowed to attend.

Simulcasting and morning workouts at the two tracks are also closed to the public.

That announcement came the morning after California Gov. Gavin Newsome announced that gathers should be postponed, canceled, or limited to no more than 250 people 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 heard Gov. Newsom’s call and we are responding accordingly for the protection of our customers and employees,” said Aidan Butler, acting executive director of California operations for The Stronach Group. “Much like other sports which have chosen to play without spectators, we will race with the personnel necessary to ensure the safety of the horses and the integrity of the sport.  It is in everyone’s best interest to take these steps and we appreciate everyone’s understanding of this unique situation.”

Santa Anita had 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.

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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 canceled 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.

Also Thursday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo tweeted: "We are taking new actions to reduce the density of people across the state. Starting Friday at 5 pm, gatherings with 500 people or more will not be permitted in (New York). Additionally, for facilities with an occupancy of 500 or fewer, we are reducing the legal capacity by 50%.

This story will be updated.