Colonial Downs Group, a subsidiary of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, announced it will alter course from hosting limited spectators to a “spectator-free” racing program for the 2020 race meet, which kicks off July 27. As a result of the pandemic, the decision was made at the request of the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) and the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. According to Colonial Downs officials, the changes are intended to focus additional care on key operating areas, including jockeys’ quarters, paddock supervision, the racing office and stable area.
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 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.”
Additionally, Colonial Downs has established the following procedures for jockeys participating in the upcoming meeting:
• 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.
For more information, visit www.colonialdowns.com
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