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COVID-19 Health Protocols Released For Arqana August

The upcoming Arqana August Yearling Sale begins on Saturday, Aug. 14, and COVID-19 health protocols were announced by the sales company on Tuesday.

To gain access to the sales grounds, all interested parties must register here. All registered individuals must also present a health pass at the entrance of Arqana's sale complex, with only the main entrance and one near the loading ramps for stud personnel open at this time. The right-handed lane at the main entrance will be reserved for people with a valid health pass. Non-European visitors will be required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. The left-hand lane at the main entrance will allow others to carry out an antigen test from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in a dedicated tent, without contact with the rest of the public.

The following documents are considered a valid health pass in France:

Proof that you are fully vaccinated
A negative PCR or antigen test taken with the last 72 hours
A COVID-19 recovery certificate attested by a positive PCR or antigen test result, at least 15 days and no more than 6 months old

Wristbands will then be provided, with each day a different colour. These wrist bands will allow movement around the establishment and admittance to the racecourse without having to show a health pass. In addition, mask wearing is mandatory indoors, but not outside. It will also be possible to book a PCR or antigen test on site from Thursday, Aug. 12 through Tuesday, Aug. 17. Any interested parties that are unable to travel to Deauville may bid online at www.arqanaonline.com. To register to bid online during the sale, you must register prior to the start of the sale. Please click here to register to bid.

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Pennsylvania-Bred Stakes Schedule Receives a Boost

The Pennsylvania-bred stakes schedule received a major boost for the remainder of the year, with four stakes doubling in value to $200,000, plus the addition of two $100,000 stakes. A total of $2.6 million in purses will now be paid out in restricted, state-bred stakes in 2021.

“Our revenue has stabilized and the Race Horse Development Trust Fund has stood strong,” Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association's executive secretary Brian Sanfratello said. “We wanted to send a message that Pennsylvania is on the move and the premier place to breed and race.”

Purses have been increased for the year-end 2-year-old stakes, the Shamrock Rose for fillies at Penn National Nov. 26 and the Pennsylvania Nursery at Parx Racing Dec. 7, as well as the Alphabet Soup and Plum Pretty for older runners on Parx Racing's rich Sept. 25 Pennsylvania Derby card. Returning to the schedule are two six-furlong 3-year-old stakes cut earlier in the year–the New Start for fillies, and the Danzig–both to run at Penn National Oct. 22.

Elizabeth Merryman, chair of the PHBA racing committee, says the increases come at an opportune time.

“We're making up for last year,” she explained, noting the reductions to the PHBA Breeding Fund due to COVID-19, as well as attempts by the governor to alter the Fund, which have since been resolved. “Now that things have gotten much more stabilized, it's great that we can add stakes and put big purses on the 2-year-old stakes at the right time of the year, where they can catch the attention of people making buying decisions at the sales. Buyers are going to look closer at the PA-breds, which helps the breeders.

She continued, “We're giving away substantial sums of money and the program is getting bigger and stronger. It helps the breeders by advertising the program.”

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Wagering Essentially Flat, Purses Up in July

Wagering essentially stayed the same in July compared to the same month from 2020 while still showing marked improvement over corresponding 2019 numbers, according to the latest economic indicators released by Equibase. Purses continued to rise over last year's pandemic-affected levels and eclipsed 2019 numbers for July.

Overall, $1,101,617,446 was wagered on U.S. races in July 2021, compared to $1,098,021,143 in 2020, a slight uptick of 0.33%. In July of 2019, $942,243,633 was wagered, making last month's numbers a 16.91% increase over that figure. With the number of race days up, however, average wagering per race day fell 10.27% from $2,758,847 in July 2020 to $2,475,545 in July 2021. That number is still 27.16% higher than July 2019, when $1,946,784 was bet per race day.

Purses totaled $110,489,273 this July, a 22.47% increase over the sum of $90,220,894 paid out in July 2020. That figure is also 6.92% above the $103,342,574 purses totaled in July 2019.

Field size dipped below seven in July 2021, to 6.95 per race after averaging 7.62 in July 2020. The number was 7.11 in July 2019.

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COVID-19: Prairie Meadows Reinstitutes Mask Mandate

Effective Aug. 1 at 8 a.m., Prairie Meadows' guests and employees must wear a face mask or covering while on property. Prairie Meadows will be continue to do their part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

Prairie Meadows safety measures include:

• Face masks or coverings are required to be worn at all times on property.
• 100% of the air is exchanged every 15 minutes through a two-stage filtration process that includes an anti-microbial treatment.
• High-grade disinfectants and electrostatic sprayers are used on a rigorous cleaning schedule to sanitize the property daily.

To review Prairie Meadows entire health and safety measures plan, visit https://www.prairiemeadows.com/safety.

About Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 with the goal of promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. Through taxes, grants, and charitable donations, Prairie Meadows has given more than $1.9 billion to the state of Iowa, Polk County, City of Altoona, City of Des Moines, and Polk County Schools, and numerous other local and state charities. Prairie Meadows offers slot machines, table games, sports wagering, live and simulcast racing, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.

The post COVID-19: Prairie Meadows Reinstitutes Mask Mandate appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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