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Belmont’s Meet Begins Without Spectators; NYRA Working To Determine Re-Opening Date

The 48-day Belmont Park spring/summer meet will begin on Thursday, April 22, without spectators in attendance.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will be able to determine when Belmont Park will re-open to spectators following the issuance of detailed guidance from New York State addressing health and safety protocols specific to racetracks.

“We are incredibly eager to turn the page on this pandemic and safely open Belmont Park to fans as quickly as possible,” said Dave O'Rourke, NYRA President and CEO. “Although Belmont Park will be closed to spectators throughout Opening Weekend, NYRA looks forward to seeing fans in the stands right back where they belong this spring and summer.”

The 48-day Belmont spring/summer meet boasts 59 total stakes races worth $16.95 million in total purse money.

“NYRA is committed to ensuring the safest possible environment for fans and will make any adjustments necessary so that the Northwell Health vaccination center operating at Belmont can continue to serve as many New Yorkers as possible,” O'Rourke added. “We thank Governor Cuomo and the state for paving the way for a successful summer at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.”

America's Day at the Races, the acclaimed national telecast produced by NYRA in partnership with FOX Sports, will present live racing throughout the Belmont Park spring/summer meet that will run Thursday through Sunday, July 11. Opening Day action from Belmont will feature on America's Day at the Races on FS2 from 1 – 5 p.m. Eastern.

Thursday's meet opener at Belmont includes five turf races on the eight-race card. In April, first post time at Belmont will be 1 p.m. Eastern.

For additional information please visit NYRA.com.

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Wagering At Aqueduct Spring Meet Shows 11.5 Percent Increase In Daily Average

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced Tuesday that the boutique 11-day Aqueduct spring meet generated all-sources handle of $85,419,050, a 2.2 percent increase over the 2019 Aqueduct spring meet.

Average daily handle over the 11 days of live racing was $7,765,368, an 11.5 percent increase over 2019, when average daily handle over the 12 days of live racing was $6,964,947.

The 2020 spring meet at Aqueduct Racetrack was canceled in its entirety due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In accordance with New York State guidelines instituted to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the 2021 Aqueduct spring meet was conducted without spectators and with only a limited number of owners and essential employees in attendance.

On-track handle, which includes wagering from New York residents utilizing NYRA Bets, was $5,734,531 compared to $9,987,247 in 2019.

The Belmont Park spring/summer meet, which features 59 total stakes races worth $16.95 million in total purses, will open on Thursday, April 22 and continue through Sunday, July 11.

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

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‘Banging My Head Against The Wall’: Lawson Frustrated With Racing Postponement At Woodbine

As a result of the Provincial State of Emergency declared on April 7 by the Government of Ontario, which includes a province-wide 28-day stay-at-home order effective Thursday, April 8, at 12:01 a.m., Woodbine Entertainment announced that the 2021 Thoroughbred Meet at Woodbine Racetrack has been postponed. The stay-at-home order was recently extended to May 20, and Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson told the Toronto Sun he is “frustrated beyond belief” with the lack of action by the provincial government.

Hockey, an indoor sport conducted in a confined space, is allowed to continue in Ontario at this time, but horse racing, an outdoor sport conducted in the open air, is not.

Additionally, morning training is allowed to continue at Woodbine, but racing is not. The same workers are needed for afternoon racing, so there is not an increased risk of infection/transmission.

“Horse racing people are pleading with me to give them a thread of hope so they can go back to their owners and say, 'I talked to Jim. It looks like we're going to be able to race.' But I can't give them that assurance or hope because, quite frankly, I'm tired of giving people hope,” Lawson told the Toronto Sun. “I've had good discussions (with the province and Toronto Health) but nothing seems to be happening. I'm banging my head against the wall. I don't even know where to turn anymore. It's not like I'm not having the right discussions with the right people. But someone has to spend an hour – whatever the time is – to go through what we're doing.”

Old Friends Will Host ‘Lite’ Homecoming Event Sunday After Kentucky Derby

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY, will host its 16th Annual Homecoming event on Sunday, May 2, 2021 from 12 noon to 3 pm.

However, due to continued COVID restrictions and for fan safety, the event this year, dubbed Homecoming “Lite,” will be a farm open house limited to only 125 prepaid guests.

Tickets are $25 for the general public and must be reserved in advance. Tickets will not be available at the door. Old Friends membership holders are free, and children under 10 will not be permitted at this time.

Reservations can be made online by CLICKING HERE.

While there will not be the traditional silent and live auctions, the day will feature ample opportunities to score some Fine Art, Cool Junk, and Hot Buys. The Art Tent will feature fine-art photography, framed prints, pottery, and more, along with a book table, yard sale, and a collectible Derby Glass goldmine.

Food will not be served, however, beverages will be available.

Old Friends, a non-profit organization, is home to such retired luminaries of the turf as Kentucky Derby – Preakness champion Silver Charm, Belmont Stakes winners Touch Gold, Sarava, and Birdstone, Wood Memorial winner Bellamy Road, 1996 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Alphabet Soup, three-time Santa Anita Handicap star Game On Dude, and Nicanor, full brother to Derby winner Barbaro.

Only 125 prepaid guests will be admitted. Tickets will not be available at the door. All guests will be required to wear masks and Social Distancing protocols will be enforced

For additional information or to reserve tickets by phone please call the farm at (502) 863-1775.

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