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Belmont Park Re-Opens To Limited Spectators On Saturday, May 1

Following the issuance of detailed racetrack health and safety protocols by New York State, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that Belmont Park will re-open to a limited number of spectators on Saturday, May 1.

In accordance with New York State requirements, spectators must purchase track admission in advance and adhere to strict health and safety protocols designed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.

“NYRA has been working collectively toward this goal since the start of the pandemic and we are thrilled to be able to welcome fans back to Belmont Park,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. “We thank our fans for their loyalty and support over this challenging year and look forward to the spring and summer ahead.”

In order to enter Belmont Park, in accordance with New York State requirements, all ticketed spectators must submit proof of a completed vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result.

Individuals are considered fully vaccinated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)/New York State 14 days or more after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 14 days or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson / Janssen).

Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72-hours of the event start time or a negative antigen test collected within six hours of the event start time.

Ticketed spectators may submit proof of completed vaccination by presenting the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or digitally through the New York State Excelsior Pass.

Ticketed spectators may submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test result by presenting a physical copy of the test result or digitally through the New York State Excelsior Pass.

NYRA encourages all ticketed spectators who have been vaccinated or tested in New York State to download the Excelsior Pass today, which can be found at https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/excelsior-pass.

NYRA will adjust admission protocols accordingly should the CDC/New York State alter COVID-19 vaccination and/or testing requirements.

Daily tickets to Belmont Park will be available for $15 and will include track admission, a reserved seat in the Clubhouse, a pocket program and reserved parking. Assigned seating is mandatory and groups will be physically separated within all seating areas to ensure social distancing. On-site wagering will be available. During opening weekend, all ticketed spectators will receive a Daily Racing Form free of charge.

Following opening weekend, Belmont Park will be open to limited spectators on all live race days.

All admission must be purchased in advance at nyra.com/belmont/tickets/.

There will be no walk-up ticket sales of any kind. In order to enter Belmont Park, tickets must be presented digitally via a mobile device through Ticketmaster.com or the NYRA Account Manager. For additional details, visit the NYRA digital ticket guide.

In accordance with New York State requirements, daily attendance is limited to 20 percent of seated capacity for outdoor areas.

In addition, all ticketed spectators must complete a health questionnaire and submit to a contactless temperature check prior to entering Belmont Park. The required health questionnaire will be emailed to ticketed spectators prior to the event date and must be completed within 12 hours of gates opening.

Facial coverings are mandatory at Belmont Park for all ticketed spectators and personnel at all times.

Saturday's stakes action at Belmont features a trio of graded events with the Grade 2, $200,000 Fort Marcy for older horses at nine furlongs on turf; the Grade 2, $200,000 Sheepshead Bay at 11 furlongs on turf for older fillies and mares; and the Grade 3, $200,000 Westchester at one mile on the main track for older horses. First post is 12:20 p.m. Eastern.

Gates at Belmont Park will open to the public at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Ticketed spectators can watch and wager on the 147th running of the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs following the conclusion of live racing at Belmont. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is slated for 6:57 p.m.

Food and beverage options will be available for purchase. During opening weekend, outside coolers are not permitted at Belmont Park. The Belmont Café is currently the site of a Northwell Heath vaccination center and is closed to the public.

Social distancing will be enforced throughout the property, including in the area surrounding the paddock and length of the apron.

For additional information on spectator protocols at Belmont Park, please visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/visit/plan-your-visit.

Ticketing information for the 2021 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be released in the near future.

The post Belmont Park Re-Opens To Limited Spectators On Saturday, May 1 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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COVID-19 Outbreak At Woodbine Closes One Barn, Increases Monitoring In Others

With the start of the 2021 race meet delayed by a provincial stay-at-home order, Woodbine has been dealt another blow this week as a COVID-19 outbreak forced the closure of Barn 33. According to the Daily Racing Form, the horses in that barn have been shipped out temporarily, and all the personnel are in quarantine.

Several workers in other barns have shown positive tests for COVID-19 as well, and CEO Jim Lawson said increased monitoring will be taking place in those barns. Other measures include medical mask mandates and a push for vaccination of backstretch workers.

“We're going into a critical period here for the next few weeks, until we can get [everybody] vaccinated,” Lawson told the DRF. “We've taken every measure that we can, and we'll get through this.”

No date has been officially named for the start of Woodbine's 2021 season. The current stay-at-home order is scheduled to be lifted on May 20, but there is no guarantee the order won't be extended.

Fans Welcomed Back At Washington’s Emerald Downs

Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash. is excited to welcome back fans for the 2021 racing season! The health & safety of our fans, employees, and racing industry participants is and always will be our top priority!

Tickets for the first 10 race days (May 19-June 17) will go on sale soon. You are strongly encouraged to pre-purchase tickets on-line. Tickets will be available at the gates only if availability remains. Daily attendance is limited as per protocols in place for spectator sports in Washington.

A day at the track will look and feel different in 2021 but the thrills and fun of live horse racing will be the same as always! Please read over all race day information before purchasing tickets.

Emerald Downs follows all guidelines and protocols in the Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery plan.

FACE MASKS: Required at all times for fans ages 2 and older except when actively drinking or eating while seated. Masks are not permitted to be removed at any time while standing or walking throughout the track.

ADULT TICKET PRICES: $10 per person now includes general admission and a Race Program. This is a $2 savings from previous years. $13 per person includes general admission, a Race Program, and a reserved grandstand seat. Reserved seats will be socially spaced between groups.

CHILDREN TICKETS: $5 for children ages 12 and under. ($8 includes a reserved seat)

PARKING: Both free general parking and paid Preferred Parking will be available. There will be no Valet parking service this season.

ADMISSION POLICIES: No outside food or beverages permitted with the exception of a sealed 32 oz bottle of water or smaller per person.

SEATING: General admission bench and table seating is available throughout the track. All seating will be clearly marked to ensure 6-foot separation between groups. For reserved grandstand seats, social distancing protocols have been built into the ticketing system.

SMOKING: There is no smoking in any public areas of the track.

FOOD & BEVERAGE/CONCESSIONS: All bars and concessions are cashless with the exception of Quick Pix on Floor 5. If you do not have a debit or credit card you may purchase a gift card at Customer Service on track level or Floor 5. You may also use Apple or Google Pay. Menus will be streamlined with food packaged and ready to expedite your time at the concession stands.

WAGERING: A greater percentage of wagering machines will be self-service. Please follow the floor markers to maintain social distancing while waiting to bet. Contactless wagering is available using betemerald.com while at the track. See customer service for details.

RACING FORMS: Forms and simulcast programs will be sold at customer service.

GIFT SHOP: The Gift Shop is currently closed.

5th FLOOR DINING TABLES: A limited number of Rainier Dining tables will be open on Floor 5. Each table has a television monitor. These will be first come, first served on each race day. There will be no dining service. You may order food and beverages at Quick Pix and bring them to your table.

BOX SEATS: Boxes will be sold by calling customer service at 253-288-7711. As only a limited number of boxes are available, priority will be given to 2019 box seat holders. Box Seats are available on Floors 3 & 5.

SUITES: There are four suites available each race day. Please call the track at 253-288-7000 if you are interested. Windows must remain open in all suites and occupancy is limited to 25%.

2021 RACE DATES

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NYRA Announces Jockey, Owner Protocols For Belmont’s Spring/Summer Meet

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced COVID-19 health and safety protocols for jockeys competing at the 48-day Belmont Park spring/summer meet.

The meet, which features 59 total stakes races worth $16.95 million in total purses, runs Thursday, April 22 through Sunday, July 11.

As has been the case at NYRA since April 1, all jockeys who have been fully vaccinated will not be required to undergo COVID-19 testing in order to compete at Belmont Park. Vaccinated jockeys traveling to ride at Belmont Park, as well as members of the NYRA jockey colony who travel outside of New York State, will continue to be provided isolated jockey quarters at Belmont Park.

According to current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days or more after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 14 days or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson / Janssen). NYRA will adhere to the current CDC guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccination standards.

As has been the case since April 1, all jockeys who have been fully vaccinated to the satisfaction of CDC guidelines will be permitted to enter the Belmont barn area for morning training. Jockeys who have not been fully vaccinated will not be permitted in the barn areas but can continue to meet horses in the Belmont Park paddock and utilize the main track.

NYRA will permit out-of-town jockeys to compete at Belmont Park during the 2021 spring/summer meet. Jockeys who have not been fully vaccinated must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken in New York State within 48 hours of the day they intend to compete at Belmont Park. Out-of-town jockeys will be provided isolated jockey quarters at Belmont Park.

In accordance with current CDC guidelines, jockeys who have traveled internationally will be required to quarantine for seven days upon their return. Four days after arrival in the United States, the jockey must be tested for COVID-19. Upon receipt of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, and completion of the seven-day quarantine, the jockey may compete at Belmont Park. All jockeys who have traveled internationally will be provided isolated jockey quarters.

In addition to race day safety protocols, which include standard health screening and temperature checks, the jockey quarters at Belmont Park have been substantially altered to provide maximum social distancing and reduce density. All areas accessed by jockeys during the regular course of a race day are closed to outside personnel, including credentialed media, and are cleaned and disinfected throughout the day.

Owners licensed by the New York State Gaming Commission will continue to be permitted to attend live racing on the day their horse is entered to run.

A limited number of licensed owners will be permitted within the barn area at Belmont Park during the 2021 spring/summer meet. In order to secure access to the barn area, owners must provide NYRA with proof of completed vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 5 days of the request. Owners are considered fully vaccinated 14 days or more after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 14 days or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson / Janssen).

Owners seeking access to the barn area should contact Zerfana Kahn in the NYRA Racing Office at ZKhan@nyrainc.com or 718.659.2313.

Owners approved to enter the barn area will be required to practice social distancing and to wear a facial covering at all times.

Jockey agents who are not fully vaccinated must produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test in order to gain access to the barn area. Races will continue to be drawn via Zoom.

As has been the case since April 1, jockey valets who have been fully vaccinated to the satisfaction of CDC guidelines may continue to enter the barn areas for morning training. In addition, jockey valets who have been working in the barn areas and only saddling horses in the afternoon and have not been fully vaccinated may re-enter the jockey quarters after completing a 10-day quarantine and providing a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48-hours of their intended return.

The 2021 spring/summer meet at Belmont Park begins with an eight-race program on Thursday. First post is 1:00 p.m. Eastern.

For additional information, and the complete stakes schedule for the 2021 Belmont Park spring/summer meet, visit NYRA.com.

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