Mahoning Valley Suspends Racing Due to COVID Positive
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Photo: Mahoning Valley Race Course
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course became the second Penn National Gaming racetrack within a week to suspend racing operations due to a positive COVID-19 test.
The racetrack near Youngstown, Ohio, announced Nov. 10 it had suspended live racing through Nov. 21 after a racetrack operations employee tested positive for the coronavirus that has wreaked havoc worldwide. A statement from Penn National said suspending racing had been done "out of an abundance of caution."
Simulcast wagering and gaming operations remain open, and live racing is scheduled to resume Monday, Nov. 23. Mahoning Valley has a 25,000-square-foot facility that offers video lottery terminals and has a simulcast theater.
A pair of positive test results from people in the jockey's room at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races forced racing operations to be suspended beginning Nov. 5, with its live cards canceled through Nov. 14. Live racing at Charles Town is scheduled to resume Thursday, Nov. 19. Because of the lost days, track management said it intended to apply to the West Virginia racing Commission for additional live dates to be run Nov. 25 and Dec. 2, 9, and 16.
Penn National Gaming owns or leases 11 racetracks around the United States. The other tracks offering Thoroughbred racing include Penn National Race Course, Sam Houston Race Park, and Zia Park.