Racing was allowed to continue Friday at Santa Anita after tests conducted earlier in the week returned some inconclusive results. With the results still being evaluated Friday morning, jockeys were not allowed the participate in workouts. Exercise riders were still permitted on track.
Santa Anita officials issued a release, saying:
“All of the jockeys at Santa Anita Park have tested negative for COVID-19 and racing will continue as schedule this afternoon. Jockeys were asked not to be onsite this morning while some screenings were rechecked. A retest of their initial COVID-19 screenings were determined to be negative. Some of the screenings administered earlier in the week initially came back as inconclusive, leading to secondary testing.
“We need to isolate, investigate and verify, which is why when a couple of the tests came back as inconclusive last night, we didn't allow the jockeys to work this morning” said Aidan Butler, Executive Director of California Racing Operations for The Stronach Group. “The second set of tests came back negative a short time ago. Everyone must test to get into the restricted zone. We have the strictest protocols in the country, and this is precisely why–to keep everyone safe.”
The protocol prevents people who could be positive to have access to Santa Anita. The nasal swab tests have been administered weekly for the last five weeks, beginning prior to the resumption of live racing on May 15.
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