covid-19 | Horse Racing Free Tips

White Turf Meeting Cancelled for 2021

The 2021 White Turf meeting at St. Moritz in Switzerland will not take place due to COVID-19, the St. Moritz Racing Association (SMRA) announced on Thursday. The unique winter event has been postponed to Feb. 6, 13, and 20 of 2022, instead. As it stands, there have been an increasing number of coronavirus infections according to the Swiss Federal Office for Public Health (BAG). The Snow Polo World Cup was also postponed earlier this month, and, as the SMRA share the costs of building the tent city on the lake with that event, a cancellation was inevitable.

“We are very sad that we have had to postpone White Turf, but it is the only correct decision in view of the current situation,” said SMRA President Thomas C. Walther of the decision to postpone the meeting. “In doing so, we are taking responsibility for our active members, club members, guests, sponsors, partners and helpers, who are our top priority.

“It is our goal to hold the most important horse racing event in Switzerland in its usual unique ambience in 2022. It is not for nothing that White Turf is one of the select Swiss Top Events and has special international appeal as the only horse race on a frozen lake, set against the incomparable beauty of the Engadine mountain world.”

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NYRA Releases Aqueduct Winter/Spring Schedules With Extended Purse Bumps

The New York Racing Association announced Thursday the 2020-21 winter and spring meets at Aqueduct Racetrack. In addition, NYRA announced that the purse increases now in effect across a number of categories at the Belmont Park fall meet will be extended to the fall, winter and spring meets at Aqueduct.

Purses for open claiming and maiden claiming races at NYRA are the highest in the country. The open $25,000 claiming category will see a $4,000 increase to $50,000, while the $40,000 maiden-claiming condition will now offer a purse of $43,000.

“NYRA is pleased to be able extend these significant purse increases to our upcoming Aqueduct meets as part of NYRA’s commitment to year-round racing,” said Martin Panza, NYRA Senior Vice President of Racing Operations. “Aqueduct plays a vital role within the overall ecosystem of New York racing, and we look forward to our return to the Big A.”

The 2020-21 Aqueduct meet will feature 42 stakes races worth $4.57 million in purses. It begins Thursday, Dec. 10 and runs through Sunday, Mar. 28. Live racing will generally be conducted Thursday through Sunday until the end of February with a holiday break set for Dec. 24-27 and the addition of special Monday cards Jan. 18 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Feb. 15 for Presidents’ Day. Live racing in March will be offered Friday through Sunday through the conclusion of the winter meet Mar. 28.

The 11-day 2021 Big A spring meet will run Thursday, Apr. 1 through Sunday, Apr. 18 with live racing returning to a Thursday to Sunday schedule. The 2020 spring meet will include 13 stakes worth $2.7 million in purses, highlighted by the 96th running of the $750,000 GII Wood Memorial S. Saturday, Apr. 3. The race will offer 100-40-20-10 GI Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-four finishers. The day will also feature the return to Aqueduct of the GI Carter H. after the race was run at Belmont due to the pandemic this year, and the GIII Gazelle S., which will offer 100-40-20-10 GI Kentucky Oaks qualifying points for 3-year-old fillies.

To view the entire stakes schedule for the winter and spring meets, click here.

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Laurel Reopens to Public on Limited Basis

The Maryland Jockey Club has been the green light by state and county officials to reopen Laurel Park to the public on a limited basis beginning with the Thursday, Oct. 15 program. The move stems from gaining approval from Anne Arundel County, where Laurel Park is located, in addition to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s revised executive order issued Sept. 28, which allows up to 250 spectators at state racetracks. Laurel Park opened its calendar year-ending fall meet Oct. 8, five days after the conclusion of the six-day Preakness Meet at Pimlico Race Course.

The 250 persons allowed in the executive order are in addition to owners and other licensed personnel that have been granted access in order to conduct live racing. Post time for Thursday’s eight-race program at Laurel is 12:40 p.m.

Owners, patrons and employees will be granted entry through Laurel’s grandstand entrance after having their temperature screened with a thermal camera. The horsemen’s entrance adjacent to the historic paddock will only be staffed on live race days beginning at 8 a.m. for authorized personnel only. Facial coverings and proper social distancing are required for all persons and will be strictly enforced. Physical barriers have been installed where personal interaction is necessary, and increased disinfection and sanitization of common areas will be in place. Laurel’s simulcast room will be at 50% capacity.

While remaining dark Mondays and Tuesdays, Laurel will be open for simulcasting on Wednesdays as well as live racing Thursday through Sunday in October and November. The first-floor grandstand concession area will operate from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on those days, with the second-floor grandstand sports book bar open Friday through Sunday. Laurel’s first-floor clubhouse, currently being used to accommodate jockeys and valets, will remain closed to the public.

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Up To 250 Spectators To Be Permitted On-Site At Laurel Park Beginning Thursday

Following the successful reintroduction of live racing to its racetracks, and given the green light by state and county officials, the Maryland Jockey Club will reopen to the public on a limited basis starting with the Thursday, Oct. 15, program at Laurel Park.

The move comes following approval from Anne Arundel County, where Laurel Park is located, and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's revised executive order issued Sept. 28 allowing up to 250 spectators at state racetracks. Laurel Park opened its calendar year-ending fall meet Oct. 8, five days after the conclusion of the six-day Preakness Meet at Pimlico Race Course.

Laurel Park was nearing the end of its winter meet when it was closed to the public March 12 due to health concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic. Starting March 15, live racing was paused in Maryland for 2 1/2 months before returning to Laurel May 30.

Racing has been conducted without spectators following its return at both Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, though owners with participating horses have been permitted to watch them perform from the track apron since June 6.

The 250 persons allowed in the executive order are in addition to owners and other licensed personnel that have been granted access since late May in order to conduct live racing. Post time for Thursday's eight-race program at Laurel is 12:40 p.m.

Owners, patrons and employees will be granted entry through Laurel's grandstand entrance after having their temperature screened with a thermal camera. The horsemen's entrance adjacent to the historic paddock will only be staffed on live race days beginning at 8 a.m. for authorized personnel only.

Facial coverings and proper social distancing are required for all persons and will be strictly enforced. Physical barriers have been installed where personal interaction is necessary, and increased disinfection and sanitization of common areas will be in place. Laurel's simulcast room will be at 50-percent capacity.

While remaining dark on Mondays and Tuesdays, Laurel Park will be open for simulcasting on Wednesdays as well as live racing Thursday through Sunday in October and November. The first-floor grandstand concession area will operate from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on those days, with the second-floor grandstand sports book bar open Friday through Sunday.

Laurel's first-floor clubhouse, currently being used to accommodate jockeys and valets, will remain closed to the public.

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