fine | Horse Racing Free Tips

The Minnesota Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association posted on Facebook Wednesday the following letter from Steve May, executive director of the Minnesota Racing Commission.

July 8, 2020

Attention:
Mike Cronin
Minnesota HBPA

Attention:
Andrew Offerman
Canterbury Park

RE: COVID-19 Protocol Compliance by Minnesota Racing Commission Licensees

Dear Sirs,

It has come to my attention through communications with Minnesota Racing Commission (“MRC”) licensees, Canterbury Park and MRC staff, and through my own observations at the racetrack that numerous licensees are not complying with COVID-19 protocols while at Canterbury Park. This is after countless verbal and written communications from MRC, Canterbury Park, and Minnesota HBPA personnel as well as signage posted throughout various Canterbury Park facilities. These areas of non-compliance include, but are not limited to:

• The usage of face masks that cover the mouth and nose;
• The display of color-coded wristbands to ensure that individuals have undergone a temperature and symptom check each day at the racetrack; and
• Social distancing of at least 6 feet in areas of congregation.

Therefore, I am instructing MRC investigators and staff, Canterbury Park staff, and any licensee to report the name and badge number of any licensed individual that is not complying with COVID-19 protocols while at Canterbury Park to Board of Stewards. I have also instructed the Board of Stewards to begin issuing civil fines for non-compliance with these protocols. These fines will begin at $100 and will escalate for repeated violations.

I do not believe that I need to remind anyone that failure to adhere to COVID-19 protocols has led to the closure of at least two pari-mutuel racetracks throughout the United States that had previously been allowed to operate with protocols in place. But I still rest assured that Minnesota's pari-mutuel racetracks can continue to offer a safe, secure facility for the horsepeople, the teams at Canterbury Park and the MRC, and most importantly the patrons visiting the racetrack. This is only possible with strict compliance to the COVID-19 protocols that have been thoroughly researched and developed with all parties in mind.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about this letter.

Sincerely,

Steve May
Executive Director Minnesota Racing Commission

The post Minnesota Stewards To Begin Issuing Civil Fines For Non-Compliance With COVID-19 Protocols appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Irish trainer Emmet Mullins, a nephew of champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins, was sentenced to a fine and three-month ban this week after breaching COVID-19 protocols at Leopardstown on June 14, according to the Racing Post.

Mullins had been refused access to Leopardstown when he did not have the proper barcode, but entered the course anyway because he believed his groom would struggle to handle the horse Oriental Eagle (entered in the Listed Saval Beg Stakes) on his own. The Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board (IHRB) called it an “extremely serious” breach of protocol, and fined the trainer €5,000 (about US$6,255).

Oriental Eagle finished sixth of seven runners.

“I accept the findings of today's hearing,” Mullins told the Racing Post. “I apologize for my actions, it was done without thought and in the heat of the moment. I won't be appealing, however, I have made a request to the IHRB that I donate the funds to our frontline workers.”

Tag: fine

Minnesota Stewards To Begin Issuing Civil Fines For Non-Compliance With COVID-19 Protocols

Irish Trainer Emmet Mullins Banned Three Months For Breaching COVID-19 Protocols