covid-19 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Ontario Racing: Purse Funds From Cancelled Races Will Continue To Support Horsemen

Ontario Racing is pleased to notify industry participants that Thoroughbred horsepeople will have the opportunity to access certain purse funds that remain available under the Funding Agreement with Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) as a result of the suspension of live racing in the Toronto Region due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These funds were already committed to the industry through the Funding Agreement for Live Horse Racing between Ontario Racing and OLG. To enable this access, Ontario Racing, OLG and the other parties to the Funding Agreement have entered into an amendment to the Funding Agreement, a copy of which will be posted on the Ontario Racing website.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario Racing created a task force, as it did during the spring lockdown, to address the financial impacts to Thoroughbred horse racing in Ontario.

Eligibility Requirements

Due to the Toronto lockdown coming at the end of the Thoroughbred racing season in Ontario, Ontario Racing Management Inc. (ORM) will work closely with WEG and HBPA to obtain the list of active horses who either raced since Nov. 1 and/or were stabled at Woodbine Racetrack. The distribution of these funds will not require an application.

Subject to being deemed eligible based on the above criteria, racehorse owners will receive a one-time payment of $1,500 for each eligible Thoroughbred horse, which is estimated to cover half of the monthly costs associated with boarding, feed and training fees (veterinary, blacksmith, shipping, and other fees are not included in this estimate).

Ontario Racing will continue to pay the 1.5 percent of purses to the horseperson's associations so they can continue to offer benefits, benevolence activities and additional assistance to those in need.

In addition, Ontario Racing has arranged for increased flexibility when dealing with potential future lockdowns in the province by sharing the details of a streamlined support payment process with OLG.

Upon OLG's approval, Ontario Racing will be in a position to apply a consistent approach to reallocating undistributed purse funds in the event of a lockdown, similar to other support programs offered to the industry in the past year. This increased flexibility and consistent approach will allow Ontario Racing to provide industry support in a timely manner should other racetracks in Ontario be impacted by future pandemic control measures.

The post Ontario Racing: Purse Funds From Cancelled Races Will Continue To Support Horsemen appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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COVID-19 Safety Protocols Set For Fasig February Sale

In advance of the upcoming Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale, Fasig-Tipton has put in place the following COVID-19 protocols in accordance with Kentucky regulations:

Screening measures, including temperature checks and health screening questions, will be in place to gain admittance to the sales grounds for all staff, participants and attendees
Cloth face coverings are required in accordance with U.S. CDC recommendations
Participants will not be allowed to congregate. At least six feet of distance must be maintained between people
Limited seating capacity in the sales pavilion
Valet parking will not be available
Increased cleaning and disinfection procedures will be implemented with regular sanitation of high touch surfaces at least every two hours
Frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is recommended for all attendees

Voluntary drive-thru COVID-19 testing will be available Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in advance of the Kentucky Winter Mixed sale. Results will be available within 24 hours. COVID-19 testing is not a requirement for attendance at the sale.

The Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale will be held on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 8-9 with sessions beginning at 10 a.m.

The post COVID-19 Safety Protocols Set For Fasig February Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Fasig-Tipton Releases COVID-19 Protocols For Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale

In advance of the upcoming Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale in Lexington, Ky,. Fasig-Tipton has announced the following COVID-19 protocols will be in place in accordance with Kentucky regulations:

Screening measures, including temperature checks and health screening questions, will be in place to gain admittance to the sales grounds for all staff, participants and attendees;
Cloth face coverings are required in accordance with U.S. CDC recommendations;
Participants will not be allowed to congregate. At least six feet of distance must be maintained between people;
Limited seating capacity in the sales pavilion;
Valet parking will not be available;
Increased cleaning and disinfection procedures will be implemented with regular sanitation of high touch surfaces at least every two hours;
Frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is recommended for all attendees;

Voluntary drive-thru COVID-19 testing will be available on Friday, February 5 from 9AM to 5PM in advance of the Kentucky Winter Mixed sale. Results will be available within 24 hours. COVID-19 testing is not a requirement for attendance at the sale.

The health and safety of sale participants is of paramount importance. These guidelines are intended as a supplement to assist with safe operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and are subject to change.

The Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale will be held on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 8-9, in Lexington, Ky. Sessions begin each day at 10 a.m.

The post Fasig-Tipton Releases COVID-19 Protocols For Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Backside Learning Center Bourbon Raffle to Fund COVID Efforts

The Backside Learning Center (BLC) will be hosting a Bourbon Bonanza Raffle on February 11. All proceeds will help fund efforts toward COVID-19 vaccine education, access and promotion for backside workers and their families at Churchill Downs.

The drawing will take place at 4 p.m. on February 11 and the deadline for entry is February 10 at 10:59 p.m. Participants will enter to win one of two, eight-bottle baskets with values ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.

The first basket, called Cupid's Collection, features Pappy Van Winkle 12-year-old Lot B, Kentucky Par, Blanton's and more. The second basket, the Valentine's Bundle, includes three variations of Wild Turkey, two types of Basil Hayden, 10-year-old Kentucky Owl Rye Whiskey and more.

Tickets are $50 for one chance to win or $200 for five chances.

Baskets will be delivered for winners within the Louisville city limits. All other winners will need to arrange pickup.

“Proceeds from the Bourbon Bonanza will help fund our extensive efforts towards COVID-19 vaccine education, access and promotion for backside workers and their families,” said the BLC's Executive Director Sherry Stanley. “It is very important to us that our clients can make informed decisions that affect the health of their families and the entire community. The BLC is a trusted source of information and support, therefore it is vital that we are well-informed and presenting up-to-the-minute information in order to protect the well-being of the entire equine community of workers and families.”

The Backside Learning Center is a non-profit organization that works to promote community and enrich the lives of equine workers and their families at Churchill Downs. Since the onset of the pandemic, the BLC has provided emergency food relief, created a digital inclusion project to overcome the challenges of virtual learning, provided computers to 20 backside families, offered virtual English classes and more.

To purchase raffle tickets, click here.

To view the event on Facebook, click here.

The post Backside Learning Center Bourbon Raffle to Fund COVID Efforts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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