California, NYRA Expand COVID-19 Restrictions

Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields, already racing without spectators as a precaution aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19, will restrict attendance further this week by not "allowing anyone aside from trainers running horses and their attending staff to come to the races," Santa Anita posted on its March 21 overnight. Only licensed personnel will be allowed on the backside.

In a March 18 email, the Thoroughbred Owners of California updated members to the changes undertaken by The Stronach Group, which operates both tracks.

"We received notice today from The Stronach Group that they will now be limiting access to Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields to essential personnel, including trainers, jockeys, and grooms," the TOC statement read. "For safety precautions and to stay as compliant as possible with (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and government directives, no owners or media will be allowed on track until further notice. As of now, both tracks are still planning on running scheduled races."

Expanded COVID-19 restrictions have also been added at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Will Alempijevic, the executive director of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, distributed a notice Wednesday to trainers with new protocols.

"Effective immediately, NYRA is only accepting horses not currently on the grounds on a race-and-return basis. These horses must be on the overnight and are requested to ship directly into Aqueduct and ship out post-race," he wrote.

Other restrictions are in place regarding backstretch workers and housing in dorms.

"If you have any employees coming to join your stable from out of the country, they will be required to self-quarantine off property for 14 days before they are allowed onto the Belmont backstretch," he added. "This will be strictly enforced.

"In order for a new or returning employee from another country to be approved to live in the dormitories, they must have self-quarantined and also be screened by NYRA prior to being allowed on the grounds and allocated a dorm."