COVID-19 Positives in Belmont Community Rise to Six

The number of COVID-19 positives among the tightly knit backstretch community at Belmont Park has risen to six, the New York Racing Association confirmed March 26.

Since an initial positive was reported March 19, five additional individuals from 585 residing at the track in Elmont, N.Y., have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Two are recovering off the property, while four are in quarantine at Belmont Park, NYRA communications director Patrick McKenna said Thursday.

News of the additional five positives was first reported Thursday by Thoroughbred Daily News.

NYRA halted racing operations at Aqueduct Racetrack March 19, and announced Wednesday that racing would be suspended at least through April 5.

BLOODHORSE STAFF: Racing Suspended at Aqueduct Through at Least April 5

On Thursday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo shared via Twitter that the state—the epicenter of America's coronavirus pandemic—has identified Aqueduct in Queens as one of four potential sites for additional temporary hospitals "that will add much needed capacity." Cuomo and his team are scheduled to tour the sites Friday—they include the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, CUNY Staten Island, and the New York Expo Center.  

Tomorrow we will tour the 4 sites that NY has identified for additional temporary hospitals that will add much needed capacity.

The sites are the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, the Aqueduct Racetrack facility in Queens, CUNY Staten Island, and the NY Expo Center in the Bronx.

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 26, 2020

Belmont Park is located in Elmont, about 10 miles away from Aqueduct, and serves as a training and stabling facility when live racing shifts to the Queens facility. Workers on the Belmont backstretch tend to the essential daily care of approximately 1,300 Thoroughbreds stabled on the property.

"NYRA is following the most up-to-date health guidance established by the New York State Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control," the organization said in a statement acquired Thursday by BloodHorse. "As such, all individuals residing at Belmont Park who have tested positive are under quarantine and in isolation in a Belmont Park facility dedicated to these efforts. We are in close communication with NYS and Nassau County health departments to ensure we are taking all appropriate steps to reduce the risk of spread.

"NYRA suspended racing operations at Aqueduct on March 19 to devote all resources, energy and attention to maintaining the health and welfare of the backstretch community."

According to NYRA, a number of safeguards recommended by the NYRA preparedness and response plan committee have been implemented at Belmont Park, where NYSDH and CDC guidelines are being followed regarding cleaning and disinfecting the facilities. 

Coronavirus-related signage in English and Spanish has been posted across the backstretch noting key information regarding social distancing, handwashing techniques, and a hotline to call for workers feeling the onset of symptoms.



Access to Belmont has been restricted to Gate 6 and all workers, including licensed horsemen, that do not live on the backstretch are subject to a standard health assessment including temperature check upon entry. Belmont is closed to all owners and non-essential personnel.

The grounds are closed to ship-in horses, except in extraordinary circumstances requiring the approval of senior vice president of racing operations.

To eliminate congestion and encourage social distancing, a number of common areas are closed to horsemen including the recreation center, Morning Line café, track kitchen, and clocker's stand. The Morning Line café and track kitchen are providing grab-and-go food options to align with guidance from the NYSDH. Only official NYRA clockers are permitted in the clocker's stand with horsemen encouraged to stand trackside and watch training, while observing social distancing guidelines.

Organizations on the ground working in cooperation with NYRA to support the backstretch community include the Backstretch Employee Service Team, the New York Race Track Chaplaincy of America, and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.