Grants Pass to Open Backside May 15

Grants Pass Downs' management has announced it will open the backside of the southwest Oregon track May 15. The dates of May 15-17 will be used for shipping horses in and getting barns, stalls, and hot walkers, etc., ready for training and racing. The first official training day will be May 18.

"The current plan is to begin the race meet on June 20 and run Saturdays and Sundays through July 12 with one Friday race card on July 3," said Randy Evers, president of Grants Pass Downs. "We are not sure whether we will be able to have race fans in attendance but plan to run even if we can not have fans at the track. The race dates are slightly tentative as if we cannot have fans we could have a much larger wagering handle if we move some race days to Monday or Tuesday. Before any such change is made we would have extensive conversations with you our racing partners."

In order to open the backside, the track needed thorough health and safety protocols in place, according to Evers. He said the protocols have been reviewed by the Oregon Racing Commission, Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, and the track's legal counsel.

Grants Pass Downs COVID-19 Backside Protocols

"We can only be successful if they are strictly followed, and we need your support to work with us and your members to assure we can accomplish that goal," Evers said. "Please see the protocols and remember these are for the backside only. We will have separate protocols for our employees. And a third set of protocols for live racing on the frontside dependent on whether or not we can have fans at the track."