Louisiana Downs Announces Updated Jockeys’ COVID-19 Protocols

Harrah's Louisiana Downs announced an updated policy, effective Wednesday, July 15, regarding riders leaving and entering the racetrack.

The following restrictions have been implemented. If a rider accepts a mount at another racetrack, he or she must quarantine for a 14-day period and submit a negative COVID-19 test prior to returning to Harrah's Louisiana Downs. Jockeys who have ridden at other racetracks must self-quarantine for 14-days and present a negative COVID-19 test before gaining access to Harrah's Louisiana Downs. This policy will be in effect until further notice.

“After careful consideration, we felt it was necessary to implement these restrictions at Harrah's Louisiana Downs,” said David Heitzmann, Director of Racing. “The health and safety of everyone involved must be protected; we join other racetracks in North America by enacting these measures.”

Harrah's Louisiana Downs has continued to follow the policy set by Governor John Bel Edwards and protocols regarding COVID-19 on the OpenSafely.la.gov website. Prior to the opening of the meet, the jocks room was expanded to ensure proper social distancing. Additionally, patrons are required to enter via a specially marked designated entrance and temperature checks are conducted. Face masks are required and no more than three people are permitted in the saddling paddock.

The 64-day Harrah's Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred meet began on Saturday June 6. Live racing continues Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday through September 23.

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‘Beat Byk Challenge’ Returns With NHC Spot on the Line

Steve Byk, whose Sirius XM radio magazine ‘At the Races With Steve Byk‘ airs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET daily, is once again teaming with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) for the ‘Beat Byk NHC Challenge,’ offering a seat at the 2021 National Horseplayers’ Championship.

Running from July 18 through Sept. 6, Byk will select one horse in one stakes race each Saturday and Sunday and players can bet with or against the host. Any player who correctly selects the winning horse in each round advances to a Sept. 12 NHC online qualifier limited to participants from the weekly promotions. Participants may qualify just once for the September qualifier, the winner of which will represent ‘At the Races’ at the NHC.

Points will be calculated for alternate prizes in the “Beat Byk” Challenge. Participants will receive 100 points if they beat Byk and 50 points if they bet with Byk to win the featured race. The top 5 point leaders will receive HorsePlayers.com credits as prizes (first place–$500 HP credit, second place–200 HP credit, third place–$200 HP credit, fourth place–$200 HP credit, fifth place–$200 HP credit).

NHC Tour membership is required to compete in the September online qualifier. In addition, any participant who “Beats Byk” in any of the weekly contests and is not already a Tour member will be able to join the NHC Tour for a special offer of only $4.99 for the remainder of the 2020 NHC Tour. Those who “Bet with Byk” and win a spot in the NHC online qualifier by picking the winner will be required to join the Tour ($50 annual membership good through January 31, 2021) to be eligible to win the NHC spot.

Participants in the September qualifier must be NHC Tour members in order to be eligible to win the NHC berth. A secondary prize of $250 cash will be available to the overall winner if he or she is not an NHC Tour member.

The post ‘Beat Byk Challenge’ Returns With NHC Spot on the Line appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Los Al Quarter Horse Association Submits Equine And Rider Safety And Enhancement Plan To CHRB

In response to the suggestion of the California Horse Racing Board (the “Board”), the Los Alamitos Quarter Horse Racing Association has submitted to the Board an Equine and Rider Safety and Enhancement Plan.

The Plan provides for enhancement of practices in six specific areas:

  • Training
  • Pre-race Procedures
  • Entry Review Panel
  • Post-incident Assessments
  • Equine Illness and Recovery
  • Rules and Conditions.

Los Alamitos is soliciting comments from the Industry in general and particularly from the Board regarding content of the Plan.

Dr. Ed Allred, the owner and CEO of Los Alamitos Race Course, said that the plan is a further effort by Los Alamitos to provide for the enhanced improvement of the health and safety of each every horse and rider participating in racing and training at Los Alamitos.

Allred further stated that notwithstanding his hope that the Plan would be further improved through comments from the Industry and the Board, the changes contemplated by the Plan would be implemented immediately. For more information, please contact 714-820-2690.

The post Los Al Quarter Horse Association Submits Equine And Rider Safety And Enhancement Plan To CHRB appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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‘Beat Byk NHC Challenge’ To Award One Seat At 2021 National Horseplayers Championship

Steve Byk, host of the acclaimed Thoroughbred radio news magazine “At the Races” on Sirius XM, is once again partnering with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) to send one NHC Tour member to Las Vegas to compete in the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) next year.

The “Beat Byk NHC Challenge” will run from July 18-Sept. 6. During that promotional period, Byk will pick a horse in one stakes race each Saturday and Sunday and listeners will be encouraged to log in to https://www.ntra.com/beatbyk/ where they will either use Byk's selection to win the featured race or try to beat Byk by selecting another horse.

All who correctly select the winning horse in each round advance to a September 12 NHC online qualifier limited to winning participants from the weekly promotions. Participants may qualify once into the September online qualifier during the promotional period. The winner of the “Beat Byk” Online Qualifier in September will then represent “At the Races” at the 2021 NHC.

Points will be calculated for alternate prizes in the “Beat Byk” Challenge. Participants will receive 100 points if they beat Byk and 50 points if they bet with Byk to win the featured race. The top 5 point leaders will receive HorsePlayers.com credits as prizes (1st place – $500 HP credit, 2nd place -$200 HP credit, 3rd place – $200 HP credit, 4th place – $200 HP credit, 5th place – $200 HP credit).

NHC Tour membership is required to compete in the September online qualifier. In addition, any participant who “Beats Byk” in any of the weekly contests and is not already a Tour member will be able to join the NHC Tour for a special offer of only $4.99 for the remainder of the 2020 NHC Tour. Those who “Bet with Byk” and win a spot in the NHC online qualifier by picking the winner will be required to join the Tour ($50 annual membership good through January 31, 2021) to be eligible to win the NHC spot.

Participants in the September qualifier must be NHC Tour members in order to be eligible to win the NHC berth. A secondary prize of $250 cash will be available to the overall winner if he or she is not an NHC Tour member.

“At the Races with Steve Byk” is Thoroughbred racing's only national daily news and talk show. The show also streams live on stevebyk.com.

The post ‘Beat Byk NHC Challenge’ To Award One Seat At 2021 National Horseplayers Championship appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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