Saez Named to Ride July 24 After Quarantine

Pending the completion of a 14-day quarantine period, a negative COVID-19 test, and clearance from a physician noting he is no longer contagious, New York Racing Association-based jockey Luis Saez will be permitted to ride July 24 at Saratoga Race Course, NYRA announced July 19.

Saez tested positive for COVID-19 July 10 while riding at Keeneland. He has remained asymptomatic throughout the period of quarantine, which will total 14 days Friday. 

Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance recommends a 10-day quarantine period for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 but remained asymptomatic prior to and throughout the duration of quarantine. Saez made the determination to extend his quarantine to 14 days in the interest of protecting his fellow riders. 

Following the completion of 10 days in isolation, according to the same CDC guidance, a COVID-19 diagnostic test should be administered to rule out the potential for ongoing infection and transmission. As such, Saez will only be tested once he has completed 10 days in quarantine.

The decision to allow Saez to potentially return to action Friday, so long as all steps are completed to the satisfaction of NYRA and his attending physician, was made in consultation with the Jockeys' Guild and the New York State Gaming Commission.

According to NYRA, Saratoga is closed to out-of-town jockeys. 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 track.

Out-of-town jockeys not currently riding at another racetrack may be considered for inclusion in the regular NYRA jockey colony providing the jockey has not ridden at another racetrack after July 16. Any jockey who rides at an outside racetrack after July 16 will be considered an out-of-town jockey and will not be permitted at Saratoga.

NYRA will also require that all personnel working at Saratoga Race Course in any capacity 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.

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

Jockeys and valets will not be 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's COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan Committee, which comprises 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 CDC and the New York State Department of Health.