NYRA to Continue Racing Despite Temporary Closures

Shortly after Keeneland announced the cancellation of its Spring Meet and France announced a complete shutdown of racing through April 15, the New York Racing Association revealed its intention to continue to offer live racing as scheduled at Aqueduct Racetrack, though the track will remain closed to the public.

The announcement followed a consultation with the New York State Gaming Commission and adheres to New York's ban on public gatherings of more than 50 people, as no live audience is permitted.

"The health and safety of employees, fans, horsemen, and the backstretch community is paramount," said NYRA CEO and president Dave O'Rourke. "Now that we have experienced racing under these conditions for three days, we remain confident in our ability to safely conduct racing operations behind closed doors and with only the staff that are required under the rules of racing in New York. Of course, we will constantly evaluate this situation over the coming days in advance of Friday and make further adjustments as necessary."

The news came after governors from three northeastern states announced a temporary closure of movie theaters, gyms, and fitness centers, and similar public workout facilities and studios.

Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo of New York, and Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey are taking a regional approach to combat the virus throughout the tri-state area by limiting crowd capacity for social and recreational gatherings to 50 people effective at 8 p.m. ET Monday. This follows updated guidance by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The three governors also announced that restaurants and bars that serve food will temporarily be required to move to take-out and delivery services only. Bars that do not serve food will be required to temporarily close.

"We must do everything we can as a community to slow the spread of this virus so that we don't overwhelm our healthcare system and we protect the most vulnerable," Lamont said. "Viruses do not know borders, which is why taking a regional approach on this issue is the best plan forward."

Gov. Cuomo and Gov. Murphy mirrored those sentiments, stating they feel partnering together is the best option and most effective way to control the spread of COVID-19.

"This is not a war that can be won alone, which is why New York is partnering with our neighboring states to implement a uniform standard that not only keeps our people safe but also prevents 'state shopping' where residents of one state travel to another and vice versa," Cuomo said. "I have called on the federal government to implement nationwide protocols but in their absence we are taking this on ourselves."

NYRA will continue to follow best practices established by the New York State Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The Belmont Park backstretch and its facilities will remain open to horsemen and operational for training. Owners will not be permitted access to the backstretch until further notice.

Aqueduct's winter meet concludes March 29 and is conducted Friday through Sunday.

NYRA was among the first to make a decision to close to the public March 12.

That practice will remain in place when racing returns Friday, and NYRA's Preparedness and Response Plan Committee, comprised of key staff members as well as representatives from the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, the Backstretch Employee Service Team, and the New York Race Track Chaplaincy of America, will closely monitor and assess developments regarding COVID-19.

Until further notice, only racetrack staff essential to officiate and report on live racing per NYSGC rules will be permitted on site. These include, but are not limited to, stewards, trainers, assistant trainers, and grooms. Owners will not be permitted access to Aqueduct. 

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez is currently second in the number of wins (32) and starters (167) at the Aqueduct meet and he expressed gratitude that racing will continue.

"We had racing the last few days (March 13-15) and everything seems like it's working. NYRA has done an excellent job of sanitizing everything and having their staff work on keeping everything safe. It's a plus for us that we can continue to race and I hope we can keep doing it."

Rodriguez said unlike some jobs in which businesses can close or people can work from home, racetrack and backstretch workers need to care for the hundreds of horses housed at tracks around the nation.

"Either way, whether we race or not, we have to keep the horses sound and moving and take care of them. We don't work in an office," Rodriguez said. "We have to try and live as normally as we can and keep working and care for the horses and hope for the best."

Monmouth Park Pushes Back Opening Day

Monmouth Park in New Jersey will not race until May 23 and will close for simulcasting and sports wagering beginning at 8 pm Monday. Wagering will continue as normal on 4NJBets.com as well as on-line sports betting apps.

"Here in New Jersey we are fortunate to have great leadership who are addressing the safety of our friends and neighbors as well as the entire state," said Dennis Drazin, chairman and CEO of Darby Development, operators of the racetrack. "Gov. Murphy has put plans in place to protect the citizens of New Jersey and we will remain in full compliance with those plans and reopen for sports betting and simulcasting when he deems same safe."

Based on the recommendation of the CDC to limit gatherings, Monmouth Park will postpone its opening day originally scheduled for May 2 until May 23, subject to state and regulatory approval.

"The new opening date will return us to our previous traditional opening date," Drazin said. "The reality is, with a May 23 opening, we'll only miss 5 racing days. We'd rather give plenty of notice now rather than continue on a 'wait and see' approach. We firmly believe this slight delay will prove beneficial across the board in the long run."

In addition, Monmouth will delay the opening of its stabling area until May 1, with training set to commence the following day. The stable area was scheduled to open April 11 with training to start April 15.

"I'm sure our fans and horsemen fully understand our decision making in this very tough time," Drazin said.  "We appreciate their patience and look forward to reopening in the very near future and to an outstanding season of racing come Memorial Day weekend."

Casino at Gulfstream Park Temporarily Closed

The Casino at Gulfstream Park will temporarily close to the public March 16 at 10:00 p.m. ET and will remain closed until further notice, according to the South Florida track.

Gulfstream Park will continue live racing as scheduled with only personnel essential to racing who are licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Division of Pari-Mutuel Racing in attendance. Fans can stay connected via the  1/ST BET and Xpressbet apps. 

Overnight, several tracks announced closures, including Kentucky Downs and Ellis Park in Kentucky.

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course announced late Monday that live racing will be suspended temporarily in conjunction with a previously announced temporary closure of all gaming operations at Penn National effective March 17 at 6:00 a.m. ET.

Oaklawn Park announced that it will continue racing without fans, but after it was revealed March 15 that two people tested positive for COVID-19 in Garland County, the Arkansas track made the decision to voluntarily close the casino for two weeks effective March 16-30. This includes Silks Bar and Grill, Bistro 2705, and the Sports Book.

In Minnesota, Canterbury Park also announced Monday that it will suspend casino, simulcast, and special events operations.

On-site simulcasting operations have ceased at Suffolk Downs and at Massachusetts' other outlets—Plainridge Racecourse and Raynham Park. ADW wagering remains available. Live harness racing at Plainridge was previously scheduled to begin April 6 and discussions about postponement are currently underway.

In addition Churchill Downs Inc. announced it will suspend operations at many of its properties.