NYRA

On Mar. 19, the New York Racing Association suspended racing for an undetermined period after a backstretch worker tested positive for COVID-19, which left New York horsemen scrambling to adjust and come up with Plan B for themselves, their horses and their staff. Nine days later--following the announcement that Aqueduct had been approved as a temporary hospital site--NYRA announced that the rest of the Aqueduct winter meet would be canceled and the Ozone Park oval would not host its traditional spring meet, headlined by the GII Wood Memorial S. "On...

Trainer Linda Rice notched 40 wins for her second consecutive winter meet crown, while jockey Manny Franco posted 64 victories to win his third consecutive winter meet title at Aqueduct Racetrack. Drawing Away Stable bested all owners with 19 wins for the abbreviated winter meet that ran from Dec. 12 through Mar. 15. "It's exciting to win another title," said Rice of her title defense. "I was pleased to finally come away with a win last year and it's great to build on that success. I changed my business model...

The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation has donated 1,000 Kroop's Brands face shields to the New York Racing Association racetrack community as it deals with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. NYRA's Aqueduct Racetrack is the location for a temporary medical facility being constructed to help during the pandemic.  "The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation is committed to helping Thoroughbred racing industry personnel, and providing face shields to NYRA during this difficult time is another way that we are able to help," said Shannon Kelly, executive director, The Jockey Club...

The number of individuals who work on the Belmont backstretch and have tested positive for coronavirus has risen to six. On Mar. 19, NYRA confirmed that a backstretch employee had tested positive and, according to NYRA Communications Director Patrick McKenna, five more racetrack workers at Belmont have tested positive since that time. After the first case of the virus was found, NYRA announced that live racing at Aqueduct had been postponed indefinitely. On Wednesday, NYRA announced that live racing was suspended through at least Apr. 5. With the latest outbreak,...

The New York Racing Association has officially suspended live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack through at least Apr. 5 due to the continued impact of the coronavirus pandemic in New York. As a result, the GII Wood Memorial S., previously slated for Apr. 4 at Aqueduct, has been postponed to a date yet to be determined. A decision regarding the other Apr. 4 stakes, including the GI Carter H., will also be made at a later date. "While this decision is necessary, NYRA is working hard to determine when we can...

In every crisis, it's possible to find examples of kindness and generosity, of people reaching out to help total strangers out of the goodness of their heart. To focus attention on the many people in the industry who have stepped forward to help those who have been impacted by the coronavirus, the TDN has launched a series that we hope will put a smile on your face during these difficult times. We'll do our best to bring you a little bit of good news every day. The importance of the...

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy of America has launched a fundraiser in support of backstretch workers to help during the challenging circumstances relative to the coronavirus (COVID-19). The chaplaincy is looking to bolster its food pantry and welcomes any financial contribution. For those who wish to donate food, non-perishable items that are microwaveable are welcome. Drop-offs in Nassau County will also welcome perishable items in individual sizes, including fresh fruits.   Donations can be made online at flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/Nzc5ODQ=. For more information on how to ship a donation or for...

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will offer an expanded weekend broadcast schedule for America's Day at the Races, presented by Runhappy, Claiborne Farm and America's Best Racing. Produced by NYRA in partnership with FOX Sports, America's Day at the Races will air Friday from 1:30-3:00 p.m. EST on FS2 and 3:00-6:30 p.m. EST on FS1. Saturday and Sunday's coverage will air on FS1 from 1:30-6:30 p.m. The 15-hours of weekend coverage will include stakes action and live racing from Aqueduct Racetrack, Oaklawn Park, and Tampa Bay Downs. "During...

The New York Racing Association, Inc. will prohibit the use of Furosemide (Lasix) within 48 hours of racing for all 2-year-olds with the start of juvenile racing in April at Aqueduct Racetrack. The initiative will begin this year, with NYRA prohibiting Lasix in all 2-year-old races at all three NYRA tracks across Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. Beginning in 2021, the same prohibition will extend to all horses participating in stakes races at NYRA tracks. Following the launch of this program in 2-year-old maiden special weight races in...

NTRA President Alex Waldrop was the first speaker on the NTRA's teleconference Tuesday, during which he spoke at length about the current coronavirus pandemic, recommendations on dealing with it and different steps being taken by the racing industry. The following are some of the highlights of that talk: "So much of this pandemic is local in nature. Central Kentucky has its own special circumstances. Some tracks may be in an area with less community spread. We ask everyone to stay in touch with your state and local health department and...

Bucking the trend of a day which saw racetrack closings across the country and across the world, the New York Racing Association announced that they would resume racing this Friday, albeit with no spectators. Since March 12, 2020, NYRA has conducted live racing without fan attendance. This announcement comes following consultation with the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) and adheres to New York's ban on public gatherings of more than 50 people, as no live audience is permitted. That practice will remain in place when racing returns on Friday,...

All-sources handle rose sharply Friday at Aqueduct compared to the second Friday in March last year as the track held races without spectators due to the Coronavirus pandemic. A total of $4,614,051 was bet on a nine-race card, compared to $3,585,745 on Friday, Mar. 8, which was also a nine-race card. "The health and safety of employees, fans, horsemen and the backstretch community is paramount," said NYRA's Patrick McKenna in a statement sent to TDN Friday evening. "In addition to closing Aqueduct to all fans, we have taken additional steps...