Luis Saez Tests Positive For Coronavirus At Keeneland, Remains Asymptomatic

Jockey Luis Saez was abruptly removed from mounts early on Friday's race card at Keeneland after he was notified he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to the Daily Racing Form's Matt Hegarty.

Saez remains asymptomatic for COVID-19, and was tested Thursday morning as part of routine monitoring for jockeys competing at the track. He will now be required to enter a minimum 10-day quarantine period, which means he will be unable to ride Maximum Security in his anticipated summer debut in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap next weekend.

Two days ago on July 8, fellow jockey Martin Garcia tested positive for the virus as part of routine testing required to ride at Keeneland. Garcia had been on his way to ride at Indiana Grand when he was informed of his test results.

In the past ten days, Saez has ridden at Keeneland, Indiana Grand, Belmont Park and Los Alamitos. Agent Kiaran McLaughlin told Hegarty the rider had tested negative for the virus when in New York on July 5.