COVID protocols

Jockey Luis Rodriguez Castro tested positive for COVID-19 and will remain off his mounts through Thursday, Jan. 20, according to the New York Racing Association Saturday. Rodriguez Castro will be permitted to return to competition Friday, Jan. 21 should he remain asymptomatic. All members of the NYRA jockey colony are vaccinated and adhere to established protocols. In addition, the jockey quarters at Aqueduct Racetrack have been altered to provide maximum physical distancing and reduce density. NYRA follows the most updated federal and state guidance regarding contact tracing, testing, required isolation,...

Jockey Manuel Franco tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday and will remain off his mounts until Sunday, Jan. 9. All members of the New York Racing Association jockey colony are vaccinated and adhere to established protocols. In addition, the jockey quarters at Aqueduct have been substantially altered to provide maximum physical distancing and reduce density. Franco has not experienced symptoms and was proactively tested because of standard contact tracing following the positive tests of jockeys Jorge Vargas, Jr. and Jalon Samuel Dec. 31. Vargas and Samuel will be permitted to ride...

In accordance with the updated UK Government protocols for sports venues, the British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) issued an outline of protocols that enter effect Wednesday, Dec. 15. "Racing must continue to do all we can to protect the health and livelihoods of our people and maintain business continuity," said Dr. Jerry Hill, BHA's Chief Medical Adviser. "These measures are considered essential to support this objective at a time where cases of the Omicron variant of the virus are increasing exponentially and other sports are facing COVID-related fixture cancellations. All...

Thank you for publishing all of those comments on Covid protocols at the upcoming sales. Something that I think is worth mentioning that no one spoke about is the role that veterinarians play and the risk they take going into stalls to perform endoscopic and physical exams. Often vets are shoulder-to-shoulder with people they don't know and have no idea if they are vaccinated or even if they are sick. The use of videoscopes has greatly reduced contact, but vets are still in very close proximity with sales help and...

Gulfstream Park has relaxed many of its COVID-19 protocols beginning with Friday's card, including open access to outdoor areas, guests not being required to wear face coverings outdoors, and the return of free admission to the apron, walking ring and breezeway. Other changes include the removal of most barriers and temporary plexiglass, no temperature checks at entrances and the welcoming back of families with small children. Guests will still be required to wear face masks inside and to practice social distancing.

In an effort to further enhance existing COVID-19 control measures, all racecourse attendees at behind closed doors race fixtures will be required to wear a face covering at all times while at the beginning Monday, Oct. 26. Face coverings (i.e. non-medical face coverings) must be worn at the racecourse by all attendees who are not identified as needing certified/higher grade PPE (e.g. medical and cleaning staff). Face coverings will be required in all indoor and outdoor areas of both the Green Zone and Owner Zone throughout the day. For more...

Edited Press Release The Maryland Jockey Club announced Friday strict protocols for jockeys intending to ride during Preakness weekend, Oct. 1-3, at Pimlico Race Course. All jockeys intending to ride during the weekend must arrive at Pimlico's drive-up COVID-19 testing site located just outside of the Hayward Avenue stable gate no later than 72 hours prior to their first riding assignment: Monday, Sept. 28 by 10 a.m. for Thurs., Oct. 1 Tuesday, Sept. 29 by 10 a.m. for the Friday, Oct. 2 Wednesday, Sept. 30 by 10 a.m. for Sat.,...

The Keeneland Fall meet, to be held Oct. 2-24, will be closed to the public due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Keeneland announced via press release Tuesday. Only a limited number of participants and essential personnel will be permitted to attend the live race meet. Keeneland conducted its five-day Summer Meet in July without spectators but did allow a limited number of owners and essential personnel to attend. "The safety of our employees, our participants and our fans remains Keeneland's top priority," Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. "We...

The Pertemps St Leger Festival at Doncaster is one of eight meetings that will be staged with crowds as part of stage five of the UK government's plan to return spectators to elite sport, the Racecourse Association announced on Wednesday. Doncaster's four-day Classic meeting from Sept. 9-12, a Sept. 21 Warwick fixture, and Newmarket's Cambridgeshire Meeting from Sept. 24-26 have all been greenlit to allow racegoers in limited fashion. In Doncaster's case, a maximum of 3,640 spectators will be allowed on the first day, increasing to 6,202 for the final...

The Maryland Jockey Club has announced that beginning Friday, July 17, jockeys who enter another racetrack's jockey quarters will not be permitted to ride in Maryland unless they self-quarantine for 14 days and obtain a negative COVID-19 test. Jockeys outside the state of Maryland will not be allowed to work or gallop horses at Laurel Park or Pimlico Race Course. Jockeys located in Maryland who work or gallop horses outside the state will not be allowed to ride, gallop or work horses at Laurel or Pimlico unless they self-quarantine for...

The New York Racing Association Inc., (NYRA) has announced updated health and safety protocols to address the rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases among jockeys around the country. Until further notice, Saratoga Race Course will be 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 Saratoga Race Course. "These measures prioritize the health and safety of the jockeys competing in New York, and are designed to combat the spread of COVID-19,"...

Ellis Park Racing & Gaming has increased track and racing protocols in compliance with Governor Andy Beshear's order requiring facial coverings to be worn at all times in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Ellis Park has been requiring masks for all patrons since July 6--three days earlier than the official government mandate. All employees and backside personnel have been required to wear masks since the June 8 reopening of the racing and gaming operation. "Governor Beshear's actions will make it easier for us to keep our guests, our team, and the...