Welcome to Friday the 13th.
At the end of one of the longest weeks ever in horse racing, which began with the sweep of indictments handed out Monday by the FBI, plucking 27 trainers, vets and drug manufacturers and getting them out of racing (including big name trainers Jason Servis and Jorge Navarro), now there is the virus sweep.
The COVID-19 virus (coronavirus), originating in Wuhan, Hubei China in November, is now widespread. It is a form of the flu and the world is attempting to stop the spread.
Thus, entertainment events (such as the Juno Awards in Saskatoon this weekend) and virtually every sports league have been cancelled or put on hold voluntarily. In Ontario, schools are closed for 2 more weeks following next week’s March break.
Horse racing continues on, but with much a different look.
Major Kentucky Derby springboard races, the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park, and the Grade 1 Rebel at Oaklawn, will be run Saturday at empty tracks; no fans.
From Turfway Park, which is owned by Churchill Downs:
The cold temperatures and wet conditions forecasted for Saturday would force spectators to indoor facilities at Turfway Park. Due to the large number of people expected to attend and the density of the crowd these weather conditions would create, the ability to ensure safe social distancing, per recent public health guidelines, would be compromised.
Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita and Aqueduct will also race without fans for the time being while Keeneland, which opens its popular meet in a couple of weeks, will also be closed to the public. Keeneland has cancelled its upcoming April 2-Year-Olds in Training sale.
Sam Houston track in Texas has closed its simulcast area.
The March 28 DUBAI WORLD CUP, worth $12 million, will be held without the public.
And the KENTUCKY DERBY, for heaven’s sake, is under discussion. The May 2 classic could be postponed, imagine that.
In Ontario, Woodbine-Mohawk continues with standardbred racing and the casino is open. Woodbine racetrack recently opened for training to get ready for the April 18 opening and has brief screening at the barn area gate for people and the track is still open for simulcasting. The OLG has kept the casino open.
From Woodbine:
Just like you, we are very closely monitoring new developments regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus). The health and safety of our guests, employees and horsepeople is our highest priority and primary concern.
We are committed to going above and beyond to ensure our facilities are clean and safe for all our guests.
To that end, a taskforce has been established and is meeting daily and following recommendations from Toronto Public Health, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and other local health providers to monitor the risk and take protective actions as needed.
In addition to our regular high standards of cleanliness, we have implemented several additional precautionary measures that include the following;
- Providing even more sanitization stations throughout our facilities, including hand sanitizing wipes.
- Frequently cleaning and disinfecting washrooms, counters, handrails, doorknobs and other areas using specialized solutions for maximum efficiency.
- Advanced prevention training for our employees.
- Property-wide communications about techniques that can lessen the transmission of an illness.
- A comprehensive and robust food safety plan.
- A thorough screening process for all horsepeople entering the paddock at Woodbine Mohawk Park and the backstretch at Woodbine Racetrack.
To date, Woodbine Entertainment has not cancelled any events and is proceeding with live racing with these precautionary measures in place.
Century Casinos, at Century Mile and Century Downs racetracks in Alberta issued a notice that measures are in place to maintain cleanliness in its facilities according to Alberta Health.
Assiniboia Downs, which also offers simulcasting, has not issued any statement currently. Hastings Racecourse remains opens and Saturday’s CTHS Horses of Racing Age sale at the track is still on tap.
The COVID-19 situation is obviously very fluid. Simply remember to wash your hands, avoid large crowds for now, get checked by a doctor if you feel unwell and do not interact with people.
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