Fair Grounds, Sunland Join List of Spectatorless Tracks

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Sunland Park, and Tampa Bay Downs have joined the growing list of Thoroughbred tracks that will run without spectators due to an abundance of caution over the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement released March 13, Churchill Downs Inc. announced amid public health concerns regarding the pandemic caused by the coronavirus, that all live races at Fair Grounds in Louisiana, beginning immediately and running through the end of the meet March 29, will be conducted spectator-free.

Only essential staff, credentialed horsemen, and media will be permitted to attend. The Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) will run as scheduled March 21 under the same restrictions. Pari-mutuel wagering will be closed to the public through the remainder of the meet. The on-site slot facility and off-site OTB and video poker operations will remain open to patrons as usual. 

Also Friday, Churchill reaffirmed its stance on the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).

"Preparations to host Kentucky Derby 146 on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs are currently still moving forward. With the event still seven weeks away, a decision will be made closer to that date with respect to postponing the event until later in the year, using the most recent information while working with and seeking guidance from public health experts and authorities."

HAMMONDS: Tracks Across the Nation Close Doors Due to COVID-19

The March 22 Sunland Derby (G3) at Sunland Park in New Mexico will also be run without spectators. People who are licensed by the New Mexico Racing Commission, along with the media, will be permitted to attend. Sunland Park is restricting access to all racetrack viewing areas. Live simulcasting of other races will also be closed for the foreseeable future.

On Thursday, the New Mexico Department of Health issued a Public Health Order restricting "mass gatherings." The order is designed as a precautionary tool to combat the spread of the virus.

"The Sunland Derby consistently draws record crowds to the track," said Ethan Linder, the director of marketing for Sunland. "We have to do our part to help slow the spread of this virus.

"Excitement always builds in March as horse racing fans look forward to seeing elite horses compete and cheering on the next Sunland Derby winner," Linder added. "But as we finalize the field for next week's big day, we can't overlook the situation with coronavirus occurring around the world. We will continue to monitor the situation and post updates."

Tampa Bay Downs will conduct racing minus spectators following their Sunday program "for an indeterminate period due to ongoing concerns about the spread of COVID-19."

Starting with Wednesday's card, the racetrack will be off-limits to all individuals except horsemen, jockeys, essential staff, state-licensed officials, and accredited media. The track will suspend simulcast wagering on out-of-town racetracks after Sunday's racing. The Silks Poker Room and The Downs Golf Practice Facility will remain open until further notice, but no pari-mutuel wagering will be offered. 

"Many factors enter into decisions of this magnitude, but our overriding concern is always the health and safety of our fans, our employees, our horsemen, and the backstretch workers," said Peter Berube, Tampa Bay Downs' vice president and general manager. "We will continue to monitor the situation on a day-to-day basis while working with state and local officials, with the hope we can allow our loyal fans to return in the near future."

Rillito Park Race Track in Arizona has canceled its next two weekends of racing, and Fairmount Park in Illinois has canceled its Saturday card and will run without spectators Tuesday.

Late Friday, the Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association announced that tracks closed to the public the previous day would also restrict access to visitors in the stable areas of both Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course.

"The backstretch workers are our main focus right now," Maryland Jockey Club director of security Major Mike Singletary said. "Safety is a top priority (of the The Stronach Group 1/ST program), especially when it comes to backstretch employees."

In Lexington, closures continued Friday, with Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center, Horse Country, and Spendthrift Farm suspending tours until further notice.