COVID-19 protocols

Jockey Christian Ramos has tested positive for COVID-19 and will remain off his mounts at Aqueduct through Sunday, Jan. 16, the New York Racing Association, Inc. announced Thursday. All members of the NYRA jockey colony are vaccinated and adhere to established protocols. In addition, the jockey quarters at Aqueduct Racetrack have been substantially altered to provide maximum physical distancing and reduce density. Ramos sought testing Thursday after experiencing mild symptoms. He received the test result early Thursday morning and was not on-site at Aqueduct. NYRA follows the most updated federal...

Jockeys Jorge A. Vargas, Jr. and Jalon Samuel have tested positive for COVID-19 and will be off their mounts for the remainder of the weekend, the New York Racing Association, Inc. announced Friday. All members of the NYRA jockey colony are vaccinated and adhere to established protocols. Vargas, Jr. rode races on Thursday, Dec. 30 and sought testing Friday after developing mild symptoms overnight. Vargas, Jr. did not experience symptoms during Thursday's card. Samuel had no mounts during Thursday's card and was not on-site at Aqueduct. He sought testing after...

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that the next phase of England's roadmap out of the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown will go ahead as planned on Monday, meaning that limited spectators may return to English racecourses from May 17. As a result of restrictions easing across England as the Covid alert level moves from level four to level three in seven days, English tracks should be able to host 4,000 spectators or fill a venue to 50% of capacity, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Racecourse Association (RCA) and The Horsemen's Group (GB)...

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced COVID-19 health and safety protocols for jockeys competing at the 48-day Belmont Park spring/summer meet. The meet runs Thursday, Apr. 22 through Sunday, July 11. As has been the case at NYRA since Apr. 1, all jockeys who have been fully vaccinated will not be required to undergo COVID-19 testing in order to compete at Belmont. Vaccinated jockeys traveling to ride at Belmont, as well as members of the NYRA jockey colony who travel outside of New York State, will continue to...

The upcoming Keeneland Spring Meet, to be held April 2-23, will allow a limited number of spectators. Pre-sold ticket packages will be available Monday, Mar. 1, and will include dining, reserved grandstand seating, and general admission. Race participants, sponsors, box holders, and Club members will also be given limited access. "The enthusiasm and loyalty of our fans are what make Keeneland so special," said Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. "We have missed their presence on race days and we are excited to welcome them, albeit in limited number, back...

The stakes schedule for the 48-day Belmont Park spring/summer meet will feature 59 total stakes races worth $16.95 million in purses. The spring/summer meet will begin Thursday, Apr. 22 and continue through Sunday, July 11. On Feb. 10, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that live sports and entertainment venues will be permitted to re-open to a limited number of spectators beginning Feb. 23. In order for qualifying venues to re-open, those sites must gain New York State Department of Health approval and limit the number of spectators to...

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA) and the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) have released procedures for access to the backside at MJC facilities. The restrictions are designed to help keep the spread of COVID-19 in check and are effective immediately. For traveling between the Mid-Atlantic region of Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., horsemen are required to submit a weekly negative PCR test. When traveling from all other states, a five-day quarantine is required and a negative test must be submitted after the quarantine period. International travelers must...

In advance of the upcoming Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale, Fasig-Tipton has put in place the following COVID-19 protocols in accordance with Kentucky regulations: Screening measures, including temperature checks and health screening questions, will be in place to gain admittance to the sales grounds for all staff, participants and attendees Cloth face coverings are required in accordance with U.S. CDC recommendations Participants will not be allowed to congregate. At least six feet of distance must be maintained between people Limited seating capacity in the sales pavilion Valet parking will not be...

Keeneland has released its health and safety protocols for the January Horses of All Ages Sale, which takes place Jan. 11-14. For the safety of all participants, the policies and procedures are very much consistent with those from the September and November sales. A few highlights: Attendance at the January Sale will again be limited to credentialed sales participants. Please apply for a new credential in the Virtual Badge app. Your credential from the November Sale will not be valid for the January Sale. COVID-19 testing will again be required...

The Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series is returning to Gulfstream Park on Saturday, January 23, 2021. Launched in 2017 as part of 1/ST's mission to modernize the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing, the Pegasus World Cup has evolved into a Championship Invitational Series featuring two Grade I stakes races with a combined $4 million in purses. The GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, run on the dirt at 1 1/8 miles, offers a $3-million total purse. The GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational, run on the turf at 1 3/16...

Breeders' Cup Limited outlined a detailed set of health and safety protocols put in place to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19 for the limited staff, participants and essential personnel who will be onsite at the 2020 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland Race Course Nov. 6-7. This plan was developed in consultation with Keeneland, local and state government officials, and public health experts, including Dr. Richard Greenberg--Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, at the University of Kentucky School of Medicine. The plan closely follows the guidance established by...

In advance of the upcoming Kentucky October Yearling Sale and The November Sale in Lexington, KY, Fasig-Tipton has announced the following COVID-19 protocols will be in place in accordance with Kentucky regulations: -Screening measures, including temperature checks and health screening questions, will be in place to gain admittance to the sales grounds for all staff, participants and attendees; -Cloth face coverings are required in accordance with U.S. CDC recommendations; -Participants will not be allowed to congregate. At least six feet of distance must be maintained between people; -Limited seating capacity...