Racing Cleared at Santa Anita After COVID-19 Retesting

Santa Anita Park issued a release June 12 stating racing would continue as scheduled after jockeys tested negative for COVID-19 after initial tests showed inconclusive results. Riders were asked not to be onsite this morning while screenings were redone, the track said.

"We need to isolate, investigate, and verify, which is why when a couple of the tests came back as inconclusive last night, we didn't allow the jockeys to work this morning," said Aidan Butler, the executive director of California racing operations for The Stronach Group, which operates Santa Anita. "The second set of tests came back negative (Friday morning). Everyone must test to get into the restricted zone. We have the strictest protocols in the country, and this is precisely why—to keep everyone safe."

The Southern California track has been following strict health protocols related to COVID-19 since resuming operations amid the pandemic, including housing jockeys in trailers on track property and requiring COVID-19 tests. The nasal swab tests have been administered weekly for the last five weeks, beginning prior to the resumption of spectatorless racing May 15, TSG said.

Other safety measures include mandatory face masks and daily health screening, including temperature checks; social distancing while on the property; increased sanitation procedures; and revised saddling; and pre-race protocols to increase physical distancing.

Like many tracks across the country, the track had to suspend racing for a period this spring due to the pandemic. It was closed by the Los Angeles County Health Department in late March and reopened as restrictions and stay-at-home orders began to be loosened.