COVID protocols | Horse Racing Free Tips

Limited Spectators for Colonial Downs Meet

Colonial Downs is slated to open for its 18-day stand Monday, July 27, and the turf-centric oval announced Friday that it will cap attendance at 1000 spectators in accordance with third phase of Virginia’s COVID-19 re-opening plan. Spectators will be limited to outdoor areas of the track apron and grandstand; will receive temperature checks upon arrival; must maintain six feet of distance from other attendees; and will be required to wear masks indoors and encouraged to wear them outdoors.

“With the advancement into Phase 3 of Virginia’s reopening plan, and guidance from state and local health authorities, we are anxious to offer this year’s race meeting with limited spectators in a safe and healthful fashion,” said John Marshall, Colonial Downs’ Executive Vice President of Operations. “As we continue to monitor the effects of Covid-19, our top priority this meet is protecting the health and safety of our guests, team and racing participants.”

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Del Mar Outlines Safety Guidelines for 2020 Summer Meet

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC) has implemented a new set of protocols and procedures to ensure human safety at its seaside Thoroughbred headquarters in advance of its 81st racing season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the track will race without fans in 2020. Working in conjunction with health and medical experts in the county and state, Del Mar has put together a human safety program which will be in effect at the 340-acre racetrack during the 28-day season, running from July 10 to Sept. 7.

Among the daily measures that will be implemented this summer:

Admittance to the facility will be strictly limited to essential personnel
Daily on-site health screening for all personnel, which include temperature checks
All personnel will be required to wear face coverings
Some staff–such as jockeys and the starting gate crew– will be required to wear additional personal protective equipment
Proper social distancing will be required
Additional handwashing and sanitizer stations throughout the Grandstand and stable area
Enhanced janitorial services including daily disinfectant of all “common areas”
No congregation of people will be permitted in the saddling/paddock area
Saddling/paddock area and starting gate will be disinfected after each race
On-site medical personnel
Quarantine area procedures

Additionally, access to the Del Mar stable area will be limited to those licensed individuals who work directly with the horses. Stable area personnel will be subject to the same mask/ wristbands/distance rules all frontside individuals will work under.

For a complete rundown on Del Mar’s safety protocols and procedures for the 2020 meeting, click here.

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Ireland To Allow Owners From July 20

In line with government guidelines and re-opening procedures, Horse Racing Ireland has ammended a number of its COVID-19 protocols, and has revealed that from July 20 up to two owners per horse will be allowed on course for their race(s).

Before that, from July 1, the prohibition on racecourse attendees over the age of 70 will be removed; the limit on journalists and photographers will be increased to five from three; one representative of associations whose attendees are permitted to be at race meetings will be allowed; and premier handicaps will be opened to international runners in addition to all black-type races under both codes.

From July 20, two owners per horse will be permitted on course for their race(s) only. At this time, racecourses will be allowed to nominate up to five attendees which could include sponsors and racecourse board/committee members. Social-distanced trophy presentations for feature race will be permitted.

Current health screening and mask requirements will remain in place, and field sizes will remain limited to 18 with the exception of some feature races.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said, “Since we resumed racing in Ireland on June 8, the level of care and compliance with the Covid-19 protocols has been excellent and is appreciated by the Covid-19 teams in Horse Racing Ireland and the IHRB. While we’re announcing some easing of the restrictions today, it is very important that everybody continues to comply with the rules on the racecourse around social distancing and face masks, and the requirements around pre-health screening.

“We are delighted to be able to confirm today that owners will be permitted to return to the racecourse on July 20, with certain restrictions. Owners play a key role in Irish racing and their loyalty during this difficult period has been especially noteworthy, and from July 20 two owners per horse will be allowed to access the racecourse to see their horse run. We are working with racecourses around providing safe, achievable catering options for key personnel working at the racecourse and aim to have a consistent offering from July 20.”

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