Arlington Park will allow limited spectators to attend live race days beginning Sept. 3 and for the remainder of the COVID-19 abbreviated race meeting, according to a post on the track's website that appeared late Thursday afternoon.
Up to 300 patrons will be permitted to watch races on track from a variety of outdoor seating areas with strict safety protocols in place. All racegoers will be required to wear masks at all times, unless consuming food or beverages. No gatherings will be permitted indoors. The only interior areas with public access will be located on the first floor for restrooms and self-wagering terminals. Live mutuel clerks will be limited and restricted to cashing tickets only. No wagers will be accepted. No patrons under the age of 18 will be allowed admission.
The racing season at Arlington was scheduled to begin May 1, but for many weeks, there remained lingering doubt as to whether any sort of race meet would be staged in 2020. For a time, there was resistance to running a meet in the absence of spectators, but it was announced June 22 that the track would in fact open for 30 days of live racing beginning July 23.
The stakes program for 2020 was canceled in its entirety, with Chicago's only three Grade I races–the Arlington Million, the Beverly D. S. and Secretariat S.–each put on hold for at least this year.
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