covid-19 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Mask Regulations for UK Jockeys Tweaked

Face covering regulations for jockeys have been revised, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Saturday. There has been a hot spell in the UK as summer begins. The new protocols are as follows:

Prior to a race, jockeys are required to wear a face covering (which covers nose and mouth) from the time they depart the changing area in the weighing room.
The wearing of face coverings during the race is recommended. However, jockeys are permitted to pull down the face covering in the moments immediately prior to the start and for the duration of the race. For Flat races, jockeys in the starting stalls should not turn to face any neighbouring loaded jockey.
On completion of the race, the face covering, if lowered for the race, should be raised before entering the horse walk, whether mounted or on foot.
In the unsaddling area, once the jockey has assisted stable staff with loosening any tack and is two metres away from any other personnel, the face covering may be lowered until the jockey returns to the changing area.
While the face covering is lowered, it is essential that two-metre social distancing is maintained.

The BHA also announced that beginning on July 1, international runners will be permitted to take part in heritage handicaps on the Flat. Internationally trained runners can already participate in Class 1 races on the Flat and over jumps. Horse Racing Ireland has confirmed that also on July 1, premier handicaps in Ireland will be open to British-trained runners, as well as all black-type races under both codes. See www.britishhorseracing.com for more information.

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Durkin To Host ‘Champions Talk’ To Benefit New York Race Track Chaplaincy

With its two annual fund-raising events in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York Race Track Chaplaincy will instead host “Champions Talk,” featuring five prominent personalities from the world of sports and horse racing, which will premiere on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, at 7 p.m. EDT.

The five individuals are Hall of Fame jockeys Angel Cordero Jr. and Ramòn Dominguez, Kentucky Derby winning owner Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds, Churchill Downs' all-time leading trainer Dale Romans and Pro Football Hall of Fame and two-time Super Bowl winning coach and Thoroughbred owner Bill Parcells.

The legendary former New York Racing Association announcer Tom Durkin will serve as the moderator for the roundtable discussion, which will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube. The discussion will take place at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion in Saratoga Springs but spectators will not be permitted to attend due to COVID-19 protocols in place.

The NY Chaplaincy will be honoring the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) as part of the event for its longtime dedication and support of the backstretch community at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.

“While it's disappointing to cancel our immensely popular brunch at Saratoga National Golf Club and our jockeys versus horsemen basketball game, we know that racing fans all over the world will enjoy hearing some of the colorful anecdotes that these five gentlemen experienced through the years,” said Humberto Chavez, the chaplain of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy. “We are hopeful that organizations and individuals will lend their support to this event because the needs of the backstretch workers are even greater in the midst of this pandemic.”

Those wishing to sponsor the event or make a contribution can visit the NY Chaplaincy website at www.rtcany.org. Additional information is available by contacting Eleanor Poppe of the chaplaincy staff at info@rtcany.org.

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy ministers to the heart and soul of the backstretch community with children's enrichment, social service, recreational, and educational programs, as well as non-denominational religious services.

The post Durkin To Host ‘Champions Talk’ To Benefit New York Race Track Chaplaincy appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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With Restrictions, Keeneland To Permit Owners On-Track At Summer Meet

Keeneland has been granted approval to permit a limited number of participating owners to attend the upcoming Summer Meet, to be held July 8-12 in Lexington, Ky.

Keeneland officials collaborated with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and state public health officials to develop a plan that ensures the safety of horsemen and track employees under the Healthy at Work guidelines.

“We are pleased to be able to welcome owners to Keeneland to watch their horses run during the Summer Meet,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “We thank Gov. Beshear and state and local health officials for their counsel and support as we remain vigilant about the safety of participants and Keeneland staff during this next phase of our reopening process. Our team has done a tremendous job of creating a plan that spreads seating for owners safely throughout the facility, allowing inside and outside accommodations so they can comfortably view the races. It's quite an accomplishment for these unprecedented times.”

As previously announced, due to restrictions resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Keeneland's Summer Meet will be held without spectators.

“While we would love nothing more than to see our fans fill the stands, unfortunately at this time we are not confident we can maintain the recommended safety guidelines and also deliver the quality racing experience our fans expect of Keeneland,” Thomason said. “We are working closely with health officials to allow spectators at Keeneland for our Fall Meet.”

Keeneland's Summer Meet guidelines include:

· Owners with a horse entered in a race on the undercard will receive four credentials for the day their horse is running.

· Owners with a horse entered in a stakes race will receive six credentials for the day their horse is running.

· Owners will have assigned seating both inside and out on race day.

· Keeneland's Horsemen's Hospitality team will contact owners to arrange credentials as the race fields are set.

· Keeneland will offer limited food and beverage service.

· All individuals must wear a face mask and maintain proper social distancing while on the grounds.

· Health screenings, including a series of brief questions and temperature checks, will continue at Gates 2 and 3 for everyone entering the Keeneland grounds.

· Owners will not be permitted to enter the Saddling Paddock, Winner's Circle or Stable Area.

The post With Restrictions, Keeneland To Permit Owners On-Track At Summer Meet appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Saratoga ‘Champions Talk’ Event to Benefit NY Race Track Chaplaincy

With its two annual fundraising events in Saratoga Springs, NY cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York Race Track Chaplaincy will instead host “Champions Talk”, an event featuring five prominent personalities from the world of sports and horse racing, which will premiere Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. ET. The five individuals are Hall of Fame jockeys Angel Cordero Jr. and Ramon Dominguez, GI Kentucky Derby-winning owner Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds, Churchill Downs’s all-time leading trainer Dale Romans and Pro Football Hall of Fame and two-time Super Bowl winning coach and Thoroughbred owner Bill Parcells.

The legendary former New York Racing Association announcer Tom Durkin will serve as the moderator for the roundtable discussion, which will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube. The discussion will take place at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, but spectators will not be permitted to attend due to COVID-19 protocols in place.

The NY Chaplaincy will be honoring the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) as part of the event for its longtime dedication and support of the backstretch community at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.

“While it’s disappointing to cancel our immensely popular brunch at Saratoga National Golf Club and our jockeys versus horsemen basketball game, we know that racing fans all over the world will enjoy hearing some of the colorful anecdotes that these five gentlemen have experienced through the years,” said Humberto Chavez, the chaplain of the New York Race Track

Chaplaincy. “We are hopeful that organizations and individuals will lend their support to this event because the needs of the backstretch workers are even greater in the midst of this pandemic.”

The post Saratoga ‘Champions Talk’ Event to Benefit NY Race Track Chaplaincy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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