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Colonial Downs Adjusts To Spectator-Free Racing, Implements Jockey Restrictions

In light of the unprecedented pandemic impacting all walks of life and industries, Colonial Downs Group, a subsidiary of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, announced today that it will alter course from hosting limited spectators to a “spectator-free” racing program for the 2020 race meet, which opens Monday, July 27.

The decision to conduct the meeting without spectators is at the request of the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) and the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (V-HBPA). . The change to “spectator free” racing is out of an abundance of caution and enables Colonial Downs to focus extra care towards key operating areas, such as the jockeys' quarters, paddock supervision, racing office and the stabling area.

“We accept the position of our industry partners that adjusting to spectator-free racing is ultimately best for protecting the health and safety of our racing participants,” said John Marshall, Executive Vice President of Operations for Colonial Downs.  “Our team is prepared to deliver a quality racing product while ensuring a safely run meet, which is our chief objective.”

Colonial Downs joins the group of major racetracks in the region racing without spectators including Saratoga, Laurel Park and Penn National. Spectators will not be permitted on the outdoor apron or the grandstand seats, and the 4th floor restaurant (1609) and suites will remain closed.

The 2020 Colonial Downs meeting will be conducted on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, with first post time at 5:30 p.m. ET. The meeting will conclude on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

“Our horsemen fully support the decision to conduct racing without fans at Colonial this summer, otherwise the public health risk is too great,” said Frank Petramalo, Jr., Executive Director of V-HBPA. “There is a bright spot — all our races will be televised live on the TVG network, and people can wager on TVG or on other on-line sites.”

Fans are encouraged to watch Colonial Downs live on TVG channel 718 Xfinity, 399 Dish or 602 Direct TV, and wager by setting up an account on www.tvg.com.

As part of the protocols for jockeys participating in the upcoming meeting, Colonial Downs has established the following procedures:

Jockeys must provide a negative Covid-19 test before arriving on Colonial Downs grounds for the first time, and the test must have been taken since last riding elsewhere.
Jockeys who leave Colonial Downs to ride elsewhere, or enter another racetracks jockey's quarters, will not be permitted to return to Colonial Downs unless they self-quarantine for 14 days and obtain and provide a negative Covid-19 test.

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Ky Downs Set to Open The Mint Gaming Hall in September

Kentucky Downs will open its Mint Gaming Hall, a new 30,000 square-foot historical horse racing (HHR) in early September, and will coincide with the track’s live six-day racing meet. The hall, which will add more than 600 historical horse racing terminals, will also include a new multi-media Center Bar, entertainment stage and a new high-limit betting area.
The addition of The Mint Gaming Hall is the first of a multi-phase expansion and growth plan that began last year since it was sold in March 2019.
“We are always seeking ways to enhance the guest experience and can’t wait to provide more food and beverage offerings, more live music and more entertainment,” said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs’ senior vice president and general manager.
“Our growth continues to solidify Kentucky Downs’ role as an economic engine for the Franklin-Simpson area and beyond as both an attraction and an employer.”
For more information, visit www.themintgaming.com

The post Ky Downs Set to Open The Mint Gaming Hall in September appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Massachusetts-Bred Stakes At Fort Erie Postponed When Entrants Unable To Cross U.S.-Canadian Border

Six horses were entered for Tuesday's $35,000 Rise Jim Stakes at Fort Erie Race Track, the first Massachusetts-bred stakes to be held at the Ontario track. Unfortunately, the race had to be postponed until the week of July 27 because the horses were unable to cross the U.S. border in time, according to horseracingnation.com.

Local jockeys were taking the mounts aboard the Rise Jim entrants, and local trainers and grooms were to be responsible for the horses. All six horses were on one trailer, and only the van driver and horses were crossing the border. Fort Erie's manager of marketing and media relations, Antoinetta Culic, called the issue “a domino effect of things.”

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Rise Jim Stakes for Massachusetts-bred thoroughbreds will be postponed until the week of July 27. The 6th race on today's card at Fort Erie has been cancelled. Race 7 will run at its scheduled post time, approximately 3:58 p.m.

— Fort Erie Race Track (@Forterieracing) July 21, 2020

The Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association reached out to Fort Erie last fall to build a partnership that would allow Fort Erie to host a selection of Massachusetts-bred thoroughbred races throughout the year, after Suffolk Downs race track in Boston shut down at the end of last season.

Blue Grass Farms Charities To Postpone Annual Fundraising Event

Due to Covid-19 causing many events to cancel, the Board of Directors for Blue Grass Farms Charities (BGFC) has made the difficult decision to postpone the upcoming “Monster Bash” Masquerade Ball.

The charity's annual fundraising event was scheduled for October 30, 2020 at Limestone Hall in downtown Lexington.

The online auction portion of the annual Fall fundraiser will still occur. While the exact date for the auction is yet to be determined, the charity is working to gather rare and unique items to offer up for bid.

“Creativity is the key word in fundraising this year,” states Julie Berry, Executive Director. “We began our 'Gallop and Graze' campaign for the next six months to raise funds to offset benevolent costs the charity is incurring due to the pandemic. Plans are being made for the online auction to take place sometime this Fall. Our auction committee members are working diligently to find unique objects to bid on that will not only be exciting but hard-to-find items, as well.”

Stay tuned – more information to come! In the meantime, contributions for the 'Gallop and Graze' Campaign can be made on the charity's Donate Now link located on its website, www.bgfcky.org.

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