‘Tough Decision’: 2020 World Harness Handicapping Championship Cancelled

Due to the COVID-19 virus and the uncertainty many players had about traveling to the Meadowlands Racetrack, the 2020 World Harness Handicapping Championship presented by DerbyWars.com has been cancelled.

Players that qualified for a seat through the Meadowlands or DerbyWars.com will be refunded the $1,300 tournament seat as a prize payout. Players can also choose to have their qualifying seat held for the 2021 contest.

“This was a tough decision for us,” said Rachel Ryan, Marketing Manager for the Meadowlands Racetrack. “With so many unknowns remaining for the Meadowlands regarding permitted onsite attendance and COVID protocols we (along with DerbyWars) made the call to cancel for this year. We want all players to feel comfortable traveling to the track and safe while onsite wagering. Not holding the WHHC this year was our best option.”

DerbyWars has announced a $25,000 online game with an estimated $10,000 first prize for Meadowlands Pace Night on Saturday, July 18. Players can qualify every week on DerbyWars.com.

The WHHC will return in 2021 and updates can be found at http://www.meadowlandsracetrack.com/contest_detail.aspx?id=8240

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Delaware Park Reduces Attendance Capacity To 1,000 Patrons

Effective immediately, Delaware Park will reduce the attendance capacity to 1,000 total patrons, inside and outside. Only 500 patrons will be allowed access to the clubhouse and grandstand area and wristbands for admittance will be issued on a first come, first serve basis. The capacity will be reduced as a measure to better monitor the compliance of the required COVID-19 patron safety protocols.

As compliance improves, the capacity limits may be increased in the clubhouse and grandstand. There are no changes to the Grove and Picnic area.

The patron safety protocols for racing are as follows:

· Initial access to the Clubhouse/Grandstand will be limited to the Paddock entrance;

All patrons will have their temperature taken prior to being granted access to the Clubhouse:
o Temperature will be taken by thermal imaging camera or touchless, handheld thermometer;

· All patrons will be asked two health screening questions if they have any symptoms related to COVID – 19 or if there has been any close contact with a person testing positive for COVID – 19 during the previous 14 day period:

o Guests flagged by temperature reading of 99.5° or higher (as established by Delaware Health & Social Services), or flagged by the health screening questionnaire will be prohibited from entering;

o Guests demonstrating symptoms will be asked to immediately vacate the property;

· Patrons entering the Clubhouse will be given a wristband that will need to be worn at all times;

· All patrons must possess a face mask when entering the property, bandanas will not be acceptable;

· FACE MASKS COVERING THE NOSE AND MOUTH MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES WHILE INSIDE THE CLUBHOUSE, EXCEPT WHEN EATING. NON-COMPLIANCE WILL RESULT IN A WARNING TO THE PATRON AND COULD RESULT IN THE PATRON BEING ASKED TO LEAVE THE PROPERTY;

· Face masks are strongly encouraged outside while properly social distancing and required when in areas that social distancing is not possible and while making wagers or ordering food and/or drinks;

· Proper social distancing will be enforced inside the Clubhouse and in the outside seating areas. Patrons will not be allowed to congregate in any areas, except those patrons from the same household;

· Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the Clubhouse and outdoor seating areas;

Live racing will continue through closing day on October 17th. Racing will be conducted on Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from July 16th through October 1st. First race post time is 1:15p.

The highlight of the season is the filly and mare summer classic, the mile and a quarter Grade II Delaware Handicap on July 11th. The Grade III Delaware Oaks will be contested on July 4th.

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Monmouth Park, William Hill Sports Book Will Reopen To Fans On July 2

Monmouth Park will re-open for simulcast wagering and sports betting at the William Hill Sports Book on Thursday, July 2, after Gov. Phil Murphy gave approval for the track to do so on Monday as part of state's Stage 2 loosening of restrictions to slow the spread of Covid-19.

Monmouth Park, which opens for its 75th season of live racing on Friday, July 3, will be permitted to operate at 25 percent capacity starting July 2. Additional details are forthcoming.

Monmouth Park has been closed to fans since March 16, when restrictions were put into place to slow the spread of the virus.

“We're grateful for Gov. Murphy's leadership throughout this pandemic and look forward to getting back to some semblance of business as usual in these times of a new normal,” said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development LLC, operators of the racetrack. “We know our fans are as eager to return to Monmouth Park as we are to have them back.”

The 37-day live Monmouth Park meet will run from Friday, July 3, through Sunday, Sept. 27. Post time on Fridays will be 5 p.m. (except for Sept. 4 when it will be 12:50 p.m.). Saturday and Sunday post times will be 12:50 p.m., except Haskell Day on July 18, when the first race goes at noon.

For more information visit www.monmouthpark.com or follow the racetrack on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Del Mar Backstretch Workers To Receive Gregson Foundation Coupons For Food, Basic Necessities

Backstretch workers at the upcoming Del Mar summer meeting will continue to benefit from a recent special coupon program that has been financed by the Gregson Foundation, the California organization founded to aid those workers and enhance their lives.

In a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the extra burden placed on the workers, the foundation twice issued coupons during the month of April covering the stable area workers of 149 different trainers – 82 of them in Southern California and 67 in Northern California. Approximately 1,350 workers received the coupons.

Each worker received two of the $5 coupons twice, which in turn could be redeemed at the stable area cafeterias – Debby's Café at Santa Anita Park and Kan's Cafeteria at Golden Gate Fields. They also were good at California Thoroughbred Trainers' recreation hall stores for the purchase of food and snacks and everyday necessities, such as hygiene products, over-the-counter medicines, and laundry needs.

All told, the redeemed coupon value amounted to $26,690.

“Our backstretch workers are very appreciative of a seemingly small perk like this,” said Gregson Foundation president Jenine Sahadi. “They don't have a lot and they work hard with our horses and something like this is a recognition of the important jobs they perform. This was met with such positive feedback that we're going to do it again at Del Mar.”

Sahadi, previously one of America's most successful female trainers, has headed the foundation since 2001. The 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization, named to honor the driving force behind its establishment, the late trainer Edwin Gregson, raises funds to benefit backstretch workers and their families.

Over the past two decades, the foundation has provided over $1.3 million in scholarship grants, paying the costs of attendance at various colleges, universities and trade schools for 625 sons and daughters of California grooms, hot walkers, exercise riders and assistant trainers. Many of these children are the first in their families to go on to higher education.

Further, the Gregson Foundation has raised more than $5 million through grants, donations, fundraising events and Charity Day funds. Those monies have gone toward providing various activities annually for the workers and their families, such as softball and soccer leagues, family excursions to amusement and water parks, zoos, fishing trips, professional sporting events, holiday festivities, picnics and Bar-B-Qs. The foundation functions both in Southern and Northern California.

Del Mar's 2020 racing season opens on Friday, July 10 and runs through Labor Day Monday, September 7.

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