covid-19 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Churchill Downs to Offer COVID-19 Vaccines

Churchill Downs will host a Norton Healthcare Vaccine Clinic for community members who are eligible per state guidelines and as supply is available. The public may now register for appointments to receive their first dose of vaccine. Appointment times are available Mar. 29 and 30 and Apr. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The second round of booster shots will be automatically scheduled for Apr. 19 and 20 and May 3. Vaccinations will take place at Churchill Downs Racetrack in the second floor clubhouse.

Individuals meeting eligibility requirements (essential workers, people 50 and older and people 18-49 with chronic conditions) may register here. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will be accepted while supplies last. Residents of the neighborhoods surrounding Churchill Downs will be prioritized.

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Fort Erie Race Track Adds Two Days To 2021 Racing Calendar

Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium (FELRC) announced Thursday that they have applied to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to add two additional race days to Fort Erie's racing calendar. The additional days will be added at the end of the season on Oct. 25 and 26, increasing the total number of race days to 42, up from the approved 40 days.

Purses for the two added race dates will be in addition to those initially planned. FELRC's application to the AGCO has the support of Ontario Racing, Ontario Racing Management, the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the Jockeys' Benefit Association of Canada, Racing Forensics, and the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation.

“Two more race days will greatly help Fort Erie's resident horse people and will also help to attract more trainers and horses to Fort Erie's backstretch,” said Claude Pilato, chair of FELRC's Board of Directors.

As spring approaches, Fort Erie Race Track is preparing for the upcoming racing season. Horse people will enjoy several improvements made since last fall, including a full-scale drainage system and new sprinkler system on the turf track. These systems will ensure better control over the turf surface, resulting in safer racing conditions. Improvements have also been made in the backstretch, including new eves troughs on many of the barns, and more fill in the stalls.

At this time, it is unknown if fans will be able to attend live racing as the season begins due to COVID-19, but Fort Erie has been preparing to welcome back fans this season when it is safe to do so. When COVID-19 direction allows for the return of fans, they will see a number of customer-oriented improvements to the venue, including a renovated Prince of Wales dining room, new air conditioning system and roof on the clubhouse, and new paddock fencing. Staff remain busy undertaking many more improvements to the facility, which will be completed throughout the summer. COVID-19 safety tools have also been put in place such as plexiglass dividers and hand sanitation stations to help protect staff and fans.

Fort Erie's season is scheduled to run primarily Mondays and Tuesdays beginning at 1 p.m. from June 1 through to October 26. Twilight racing will run Tuesdays throughout the summer, with a 4 p.m. first race post time.

For more information about the upcoming season, and updates regarding fan attendance on race days, visit www.forterieracing.com.

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NYRA Continuing Efforts to Bring Back Spectators

The New York Racing Association issued a statement Wednesday regarding it ongoing efforts to welcome fans back for the upcoming Belmont Park and Saratoga Racecourse meets. Horse and auto racing were omitted from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's guidance last week relating to reopening sporting events to the public in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.

“Governor Cuomo's decision to expand capacity limits for sports fans beginning this April is incredibly positive news as we look toward the spring and summer,” said NYRA's Pat McKEnna. “NYRA will work closely with the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Gaming Commission to secure the requisite approvals to welcome fans back to Belmont Park this spring and to Saratoga Race Course this summer. As COVID-19 cases continue to decline and vaccines become more widely available, we are optimistic that capacity limits will increase in the coming months.

“NYRA has conducted live racing for the past eight months without the energy and excitement that the fans bring, and we have missed them dearly during this time. We look forward to turning the page, and opening the doors to these historic venues in the very near future.

“Considering the size and scope of the COVID-19 vaccination site on the first floor of Aqueduct Racetrack, where New York State will soon be distributing more than 4,000 doses per day, NYRA hopes to re-open Aqueduct to spectators in the fall of 2021.”

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COVID-19: Limited Fan Attendance Of 10,000 To Be Permitted At Preakness

1/ST and the Maryland Jockey Club announced today that Preakness 146 will run with a socially distant, limited crowd of 10,000 in attendance when it returns as the second jewel of the Triple Crown Series on Saturday, May 15 to Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The decision to include fans was made in consultation with and by approval of local and state health and governmental authorities and includes the approval for a limited number of fans for Black-Eyed Susan Day on Friday, May 14.

A limited number of tickets will go on sale to the public on Monday, April 5. Tickets will be available for Preakness Day and Black-Eyed Susan Day at www.preakness.com, by emailing tix@preakness.com or by calling the Preakness 146 Box Office toll-free at 1-877-206-8042, Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET.

As a result of the enhanced health protocols and required social distancing guidelines, the seating manifest has been changed to reflect altered ticket options and viewing locations. Existing ticket holders, those who opted to carry over their tickets from Preakness 145 due to COVID-19 restrictions, will have the opportunity to relocate to the nearest equivalent seating area for this year's event beginning on March 24.

“We are thrilled to be able to welcome fans back to Pimlico Race Course for Preakness 146,” said Belinda Stronach, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, 1/ST. “While fan attendance will be limited due to COVID-19 protocols, the excitement of the Preakness is not limited. The 1/ST team has worked tirelessly and in cooperation with Baltimore City and the State of Maryland to thoughtfully and safely prepare for an exciting and memorable day of world-class Thoroughbred horse racing and entertainment.”

In full consideration for the health and safety of guests, horsemen, those on the backstretch and employees, 1/ST EXPERIENCE will deliver an entirely re-imagined entertainment and curated hospitality experience inclusive of COVID-19 protocols. From indoor dining in the Grandstand to premium outdoor viewing from the 1/ST Turn Suites and the iconic Turfside Terrace, guests will enjoy everything the Preakness has to offer in safety. Corporate Village Suites will feature luxury open air cabanas, lounge seating and the best race day views from their new spot on the home stretch. Individual tickets range in price from $150 to $500 with pricing available on request for suites.

“I want to thank 1/ST and The Maryland Jockey Club for working to ensure that all the proper safety and public health protocols will be in place for Preakness 146,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Having fans back at Pimlico is another sign we are on the road back to normal, and I look forward to once again presenting the Woodlawn Vase.”

“The Preakness is a Baltimore staple and the center of American horseracing since 1870. I am excited to welcome fans back to Pimlico Race Course in Park Heights,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Sustaining the health and safety of Baltimore residents is my top priority, and I am confident the staff at 1/ST and the Maryland Jockey Club will protect the health of fans by following the safety guidelines set forth by the City of Baltimore and State of Maryland.”

Preakness 146 weekend will open with Black-Eyed Susan Day on Friday, May 14 and will once again feature the $250,000 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2). This year will mark the 97^th running of this historic race. Last year, 1/ST and the Maryland Jockey Club announced the renaming of this race to honor the late George E. Mitchell and his work within the Park Heights community. The 146^th running of the $1 million Preakness Stakes (G1) will take place on Saturday, May 15 as part of an incredible weekend featuring the finest contenders in Thoroughbred horse racing who will compete for a total of $3.25 million in purse winnings.

NBC Sports will broadcast Preakness 146 live on NBC from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET on race day, Saturday, May 15, with extended coverage beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, InfieldFest, the beloved annual music festival tradition at the Preakness that brings together fans for legendary performances, unique hospitality and curated activations, will not proceed as usual. Instead, 1/ST EXPERIENCE will introduce a new, socially distant live component, Preakness LIVE, that will run concurrently with the NBC broadcast and will be livestreamed featuring musical entertainment that will celebrate Baltimore's richness and diversity. Tickets for Preakness LIVE will be announced in the coming weeks.

Since the outset of the pandemic, 1/ST and the Maryland Jockey Club have implemented stringent, industry-leading COVID-19 health and safety protocols to protect the community, riders, horsemen, those who work on the backstretch and 1/ST employees. COVID-19 protocols for Preakness 146 will include non-invasive thermal temperature scans on guest arrival, expedited entry for fully vaccinated guests, enforced physical distancing and queue line markers, increased sanitation throughout the facility, accessible hand sanitization stations and a mandatory masking policy. Preakness 146 health and safety protocols can be found at www.preakness.com/health-safety.

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