MJC

A surge in positive Coronavirus tests among jockeys was met on Tuesday with a flurry of new movement-related restrictions at Thoroughbred tracks from coast to coast in an effort to keep the pandemic from spreading further. For the industry in general, any sizable spike in COVID-19 positives among participants will almost certainly trigger another wave of racetrack shutdowns. But for jockeys specifically, the balance of maintaining safety under pandemic precautions often comes down to treading a fine line between protecting one's health versus protecting one's livelihood. Since the end of...

Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen Association, after conferring with the Maryland Jockey Club, announced operations will resume at a similar purse structure for overnight races through the rest of the summer, while staging live racing two days a week. Moving forward, as revenues increase, plans call for the addition of days to the calendar. With Casinos scheduled to re-open June 19, the MJC is expected to begin relaxing restrictions of owner's access to the backstretch as well as allowing all licensed personal access to the backstretch beginning June 20.

The Maryland Jockey Club has informed the Maryland Racing Commission of its plans to restrict races for 2-year-olds to connections who opt not to administer Lasix on race day. "The time has come to phase out Lasix beginning with 2-year-old horses," said Belinda Stronach, Chairman and President, The Stronach Group and 1/ST. "We are following through on 1/ST Racing's commitment to put horse and rider safety and welfare at the forefront. We believe in the principle that horses should only be racing free of medication. By taking this important step...