NYRA Closes Saratoga to Out-of-Town Jockeys

The New York Racing Association has closed Saratoga Race Course to out-of-town jockeys until further notice, part of updated health and safety protocols announced July 14 to address the rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases among jockeys around the country.

In addition, any member of the regular NYRA jockey colony who travels to ride at any other racetrack will not be permitted to return to the upstate New York track.

Tracks across the country took action Tuesday, implementing similar protocols in Maryland, Ohio, 

"These measures prioritize the health and safety of the jockeys competing in New York, and are designed to combat the spread of COVID-19," said NYRA president and CEO David O'Rourke. "Unfortunately, the restrictive travel policies implemented today have become necessary as cases continue to rise in states across the country."

KING: Geroux Another Rider to Test Positive for COVID-19

The 2020 Saratoga summer condition book currently lists 22 active jockeys and three apprentice riders. This group is to be considered the regular NYRA jockey colony.

Out-of-town jockeys that are not currently riding at another racetrack may be considered for inclusion in the regular NYRA jockey colony provided the jockey does not ride at another racetrack beginning July 16, opening day of the track's summer season.

Any jockey that rides at a racetrack outside of Saratoga beginning Thursday will be considered an out-of-town jockey and will not be permitted to ride at Saratoga.

From New York-based jockeys and their agents, there was support for the new regulations.

"It's an inconvenience for everyone, but at this point in time the business is worth more than any individual, including the jockeys," said Ron Anderson, agent for jockeys Joel Rosario and John Velazquez. "We just have to do what we have to do. Such is life. (NYRA's)  decision is based on what we have to do, not what we want to do. You have to roll with the punches."

Jimmy Riccio Jr., agent for jockey Jose Ortiz, said the policy makes "perfect sense."

“To me it makes perfect sense," he said. "Jose and I are happy we’re racing and want to continue that. We shipped out for Guarana (July 11 in the Madison Stakes, G1, at Keeneland) and luckily he came back and tested negative. He’s being smart and careful and everyone in the industry has to do that, otherwise we’re going to get shutdown and no one wants to see that happen.

"Every time you hear a jockey gets positive it’s like a punch in the gut," he added."We compete against each other, but there’s a deep level of respect for each other."

As for the impact on graded stakes across the nation, the protocols will prevent jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. from riding Dr Post in the July 18 TVG.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park. Trainer Todd Pletcher said he has lined up Joe Bravo to ride Dr Post in Saturday's stakes for 3-year-olds.

Also, Anderson said Rosario will have to give up the mount on Ollie's Candy in the Aug. 2 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar.

While staying in New York will not present a major problem for jockeys during the Saratoga meet, it could create a dilemma for riders in September when the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve is contested Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs.

"There’s no sense thinking ahead," Anderson said. "Things are changing by the hour, not by the day, in our lives, not to mention here in our racing world."

Jockeys' Guild president and CEO Terry Meyocks voiced his approval of the additional jockey protocols.

"Under these circumstances, this is a common-sense approach to add a layer of protection for jockeys and ensure a safe and successful meet here in Saratoga," said Meyocks. "Our membership stands in full support of these new travel protocols and we will continue to work closely with NYRA as this situation continues to evolve and change."

All personnel working at Saratoga in any capacity are required by NYRA to produce a negative COVID-19 test in order to access the property. This policy is inclusive of jockeys, valets, NYRA employees, trainers and their staff, outside vendors, and credentialed media.

New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association president Joe Appelbaum endorsed NYRA's new safety measures.

"Health and safety need to come first as conditions around the country remain uncertain and inconsistent from state to state," said Appelbaum. "We are confident that these restrictions will support a successful summer at Saratoga and mitigate risk for these world class athletes."

In addition to race day safety protocols including standard health screening and temperature check, the jockey quarters at Saratoga have been substantially altered to provide maximum social distancing and reduce density. All areas accessed by jockeys during the regular course of a race day are closed to all outside personnel, including credentialed media, and are cleaned and disinfected throughout the day.

Jockeys and valets are not permitted access to the barn area. In order to work a horse in the morning, the jockey must meet the horse in the paddock and can then proceed to the main track.

Jockey agents must produce a negative COVID-19 test in order to gain access to the barn area. Races will continue to be drawn via Zoom.

All common areas as well as the jockey's dining area have been closed and will remain closed through the end of the meet.

NYRA offers a limited number of steeplechase races on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the summer meet. NYRA has consulted with the National Steeplechase Association on specific safety protocols to be followed by steeplechase jockeys. This group of jockeys must produce a negative COVID-19 test in order to access the property and will be completely isolated from the regular NYRA jockey colony in a physically separate location. Following that day's steeplechase race, which will be carded as Race 1, the steeplechase jockeys will depart the property.

NYRA will follow current Centers for Disease Control and New York State Health Department guidance when determining the return of a jockey who has tested positive for COVID-19. This process will include a period of quarantine determined by the severity of the individual case followed by a series of diagnostic tests to rule out ongoing infection. NYRA will consider allowing a jockey to resume racing or training activities on NYRA property only when his or her physician has provided clearance to do so.

NYRA's COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan Committee, comprised of key NYRA staff members as well as representatives from the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, the Backstretch Employee Service Team, Belmont Child Care Association, and the New York Race Track Chaplaincy of America, will continue to implement the most current health and safety protocols as described by the C.D.C. and the New York State Department of Health.

The 2020 summer meet at Saratoga runs through Sept. 7. Following the four-day opening weekend, live racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays.

Under current New York State guidelines, Saratoga Race Course will open without spectators in attendance. The 40-day meet will be highlighted by the 151st renewal of the $1 million Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 8 and the $750,000 Whitney Stakes (G1) Aug. 1.

Geroux Tests Positive for COVID-19

In a tweet July 14, jockey Florent Geroux said he had tested positive for COVID-19, becoming at least the fifth prominent rider to contract it over the past week. He follows Martin Garcia, Luis Saez, Victor Espinoza, and Flavien Prat—the four of whom rode at Los Alamitos Race Course July 4.

Geroux did not ride at Los Alamitos, but rode at Indiana Grand July 8, as did Saez. Geroux later rode at Keeneland July 9-10 and July 12, and Belmont Park July 11.

Saez also rode at Keeneland Thursday and briefly on Friday before he was removed from his mounts after testing positive. Prat rode there Saturday before returning to California and testing on Sunday showed him as positive.

It is unclear when and where Geroux might have contracted COVID-19.

"I'm currently feeling well, quarantined, and looking forward to rejoining the racetrack when I'm cleared," he tweeted. "Thank you everyone for the well wishes. Stay safe!"

Maryland Jockey Club Institutes Similar Policy

Also on Tuesday, The Maryland Jockey Club announced that beginning July 17, jockeys who enter another racetrack’s jockey quarters will not be permitted to ride in Maryland unless they self-quarantine for 14 days and obtain a negative COVID-19 test.

Jockeys outside the state of Maryland will not be allowed to work or gallop horses at Laurel Park or Pimlico Race Course. Jockeys located in Maryland who work or gallop horses outside the state will not be allowed to ride, gallop or work horses at Laurel or Pimlico unless they self-quarantine for 14 days and obtain a negative COVID-19 test.

Jockeys who have ridden outside Maryland this past week will have separate dressing rooms and quarters this weekend and will be monitored. 

"The health, safety, and welfare of every person and every horse is always the top priority of the Maryland Jockey Club," the MJC wrote in a release.

Racing at Laurel resumes Friday afternoon.

Ellis, Ohio Announce Enhanced Protocols

Ellis Park also adopted new protocols Tuesday, announcing all jockeys and valets must have a negative COVID-19 test result taken before being admitted to the track. Once a negative test is reported they will not need additional testing unless they leave the local area, Kentucky, or ride or race at another racetrack.

All backside entrants, including jockeys who do leave the local area or the state of Kentucky after their initial test, will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours before being re-admitted to Ellis Park.

The Ohio State Racing Commission issued a directive regarding jockey travel effective Tuesday to help ensure the safety of jockeys, horsemen, track personnel, and fans who enter any Ohio Thoroughbred racetrack.  

According to a release, "Only jockeys who are currently riding or exercising a horse within the State of Ohio can ride or exercise a horse at your facility. Any jockey who is not currently riding or exercising a horse within the State of Ohio is prohibited from riding or exercising a horse at your facility.

"A jockey who is currently riding or exercising horses within the State of Ohio and leaves this state to ride or exercise a horse shall not be allowed to ride or exercise a horse at your facility until the jockey has completed a 14-day quarantine and the jockey shows documentation of a negative COVID-19 test within the last seven days of the quarantine. 

"This directive does not restrict the travel of any jockey who is currently riding or exercising a horse within the State of Ohio to ride or exercise a horse at another horse racing facility in this state."