With the utmost regard for the safety and well-being of 1/ST RACING employees, those working on the backstretch and the community at large, and in following the best guidance from local health authorities, Golden Gate Fields in Northern California will temporarily pause live racing effective noon Friday, Nov. 13 through to Nov. 20.
Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Golden Gate Fields has implemented stringent health and safety measures including strict social distancing and masking policies and regular COVID-19 testing with isolation requirements for any positive cases or identified close contacts.
Since Oct. 30, there have been 24 confirmed cases linked to the Berkeley stable area. All positive cases are overseen by the Berkeley Public Health Division (BPHD) through their case managers, are required to isolate as per BPHD protocols and are not able to return to Golden Gate Fields until health clearance has been provided by BPHD.
During the period of temporary closure, track facilities will undergo thorough cleaning and track-wide COVID-19 testing will be performed for all employees and backstretch workers in the stable area. Upon completion of testing all data will be shared with the BPHD.
The 1,300 horses stabled onsite will continue to receive the daily care and exercise they require.
Golden Gate Fields will continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with the BPHD and will look forward to resuming live racing as soon as possible.
California horsemen were notified by the Santa Anita racing office that anyone from Golden Gate will be required to provide a negative COVID test before gaining access to the grounds at Santa Anita or San Luis Rey Downs training center. Officials at Del Mar, which races through Nov. 29, were not immediately available for comment.
The post 24 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Linked To Golden Gate Stables Since Oct. 30; Racing Cancelled Through Nov. 20 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
For Chris Ryder, the next few weeks are going to be bittersweet.
Bettor's Wish, a moderately priced pacing colt Ryder picked up as a yearling for $20,000, will end his racing career. After more than 20 wins and $2.4 million in earnings, Bettor's Wish will head off to stud at Diamond Creek Farm in Pennsylvania in 2021.
Sunday's Potomac Pace Invitational at Rosecroft will be one of the 4-year-old's last starts.
“Oh, it's going to be tough,” said trainer and co-owner Ryder. “He's part of the family. He's a beautiful horse to have around the barn. He's never any trouble, always does everything right. He's been a real gift.
“What do you say? He shows up every week. He's a horse of a lifetime.”
“He's like an old mate,” said driver Dexter Dunn.
Along with victories this year in the Sam McKee Memorial, Dayton Pacing Derby and the Allerage Open Pace, where he set a track record, Bettor's Wish finished second Oct. 31 in the $500,000 Breeders Crown Open.
Recipient of the 2019 Dan Patch Award for best 3-year-old male pacer, Bettor's Wish has rewarded Ryder and his connections with some special memories. Last year Bettor's Wish won the Art Rooney Pace, the Matron Stakes, and a division of the Tattersalls Pace. His second-place finishes came in the North American Cup, Meadowlands Pace, Messenger Stakes and TVG Series Open Pace.
Not bad for a $20,000 yearling. “I guess he slipped through the cracks,” Ryder said.
“He's such a gutsy horse,” said Dunn before the Breeders Crown in October. “His attitude is amazing and makes my job easy because he's so versatile. It's not an easy move [from ages 3 to 4], but you know he's going to go out there and give you 100 percent.
“I'll miss him, that's for sure.”
Considered the top older pacer this year, Bettor's Wish enters the Potomac Pace after finishing behind Century Farroh in the Breeders Crown as the betting favorite. Bettor's Wish, who drew post 9 in the Breeders Crown, will leave from Post 5 Sunday evening while Century Farroh leaves from Post 4. Backstretch Shadow (third in the Breeders Crown) and This Is The Plan (fourth in the Breeders Crown), both trained by Ron Burke, will also leave inside Bettor's Wish.
Despite the loss in the Breeders Crown, Ryder is optimistic heading into the Potomac Pace.
“He's doing fine and came out of the Breeders Crown fine,” Ryder said. “The post killed us [in the Breeders Crown]. The horse who beat us is a good horse and had a good trip. We're looking forward to the race at Rosecroft. Hopefully, we'll get a good trip.”
The post Bittersweet Ending To The Season For Trainer, Co-Owner Of Top Pacer Bettor’s Wish appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
