Get ready for the “Call of a Lifetime.” If you ever wanted the story straight from the Big Red horse’s mouth, this is as close as you can get. Commemorate the kick off of the 2020 Triple Crown season with a personal phone or video call from Secretariat’s Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte.
Category: Horse Racing News
Ellis Park Given Approval for July 2 Start
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a July 2 start to the Ellis Park racing season. The meet had originally been scheduled to begin June 28 and Tuesday’s vote also approved the extension of the Churchill Downs meeting by one day to now end on the 28th.
Ellis Park general manager Jeff Inman said the track had requested the delay to have more time to institute all the safety protocols involved with staging horse racing in the COVID-19 era. Ellis Park is making up for not running June 28 by adding July 2, a date it originally had not planned to run.
“It’s win-win for everybody, including the state and Kentucky horsemen picking up an additional day of racing,” Inman said.
Ellis Park will now run July 2-5, then be dark the following week to allow Keeneland to run July 8-12. Ellis then resumes its Friday-Sunday schedule on July 17, running through Aug. 30.
The post Ellis Park Given Approval for July 2 Start appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
Penn National Takes 93 Entries Over Nine Races For June 19 Reopening
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, Penn. is pleased to announce the return of live Thoroughbred racing on Friday, June 19 following a near three-month hiatus. A total of 93 entries hit the overnight for the nine-race card which features a pair of turf sprints and a $2,537.87 carryover in the Pick 5 starting in Race 5.
Penn National last conducted live racing on Saturday, March 14 with the track and casino closing their doors on March 16 in response to COVID-19.
“It has been a long process for everyone – horsemen, employees and guests – to get back to this point to restarting live racing but we are grateful for the response to our returning card,” said Eric Johnston, Director of Racing Operations.
Live racing into early July will be conducted on Wednesdays and Fridays with a first post of 6:00 P.M. EST. An expanded racing schedule will be reviewed based on horse supply and available purse revenues going forward.
COVID -19 mitigation protocols approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission have been put into effect covering all individuals associated with racing and include mandatory use of face coverings, social distancing and limits on individuals permitted in the racing related areas. For the opening weekend the track apron will not be open for the general public and only licensed trainers and grooms shall be permitted in the paddock area for their specific races only.
The third-floor simulcast area will be open for simulcast wagering and viewing of live races starting June 19 and will be open seven days a week. Capacity limits will be enforced. The gaming areas at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course will reopen at 9:00 A.M. on Friday, June 19. More information on the casino and racetrack reopening can be found at www.hollyywoodpnrc.com.
The post Penn National Takes 93 Entries Over Nine Races For June 19 Reopening appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
‘Win-Win’: Kentucky Commission Approves July 2 Opening Date For Ellis Park
Ellis Park on Tuesday received regulatory approval to begin its summer meet on Thursday July 2 rather than the previously scheduled Sunday June 28 opener. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission unanimously approved the change, which includes Churchill Downs extending its spring meet one day to close on June 28.
Ellis Park general manager Jeff Inman said the track had requested the delay to have more time to institute all the safety protocols involved with staging horse racing in the COVID-19 era. Ellis Park is making up for not running June 28 by adding July 2, a date it originally had not planned to run.
“It's win-win for everybody, including the state and Kentucky horsemen picking up an additional day of racing,” Inman said.
Ellis Park will not be able to accommodate spectators in the grandstand or outdoor areas until receiving approval from Gov. Andy Beshear's office. Under the state's measures for getting businesses back in operation following the COVID shutdown, the Ellis Park clubhouse has been allowed to re-open for Historical Horse Racing on the first floor and simulcast wagering on tracks across the country on the second floor.
The dates adjustments are the latest amid the health emergency that forced Keeneland to cancel its spring meet and for Churchill Downs to open later than scheduled. Ellis Park now will run July 2-5, then be dark the following week to allow Keeneland to run July 8-12. Ellis Park then resumes its Friday-Sunday schedule on July 17, running through Aug. 30.
Ellis Park earlier gave Sept. 1-6 to Churchill Downs in order to let the Louisville track run a rescheduled Kentucky Derby Week, with the Derby on Sept. 5.
The post ‘Win-Win’: Kentucky Commission Approves July 2 Opening Date For Ellis Park appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
