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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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Lost And Found Presented By LubriSYNHA: Channing Hill May Not Be Done Riding Yet

Life for a jockey can change in an instant. For Channing Hill, unrelated events took him in a new direction and in hindsight could be viewed as setbacks or opportunities.

A 2005 Eclipse Award finalist as outstanding apprentice, Hill sees the proverbial glass as half full. A year after being sidelined by severe neck and back injuries, he is relishing time with family as he eases closer to a return to the saddle.

“I am lucky,” he said. “I have seen these same types of injuries and how much different it can turn out. I feel very fortunate.”

Hill was injured at Oaklawn Park when his mount went down on April 17, 2020. Three days later, he underwent surgery in Hot Springs, Ark., and shortly thereafter returned to his Louisville home. He has no timetable, but is optimistic for a return.

“I am just taking it as it comes,” Hill said. “I don't want to push myself now and maybe get worse later on. I am going to let my body and my doctors tell me when I am ready.”

Except for issues with his left hand, Hill said he is in great shape for looking after the three children he has with wife Shelbi, daughter of trainer Wayne Catalano. The youngest two — at ages 18 months and nearly three — have the usual age-related requirements, while their 7-year-old son gave him a surprise assignment he could not foresee. In addition to his role as a dad, Hill took on the job of educator when schools closed due to the pandemic. Like so many youngsters who were required to stay home and learn virtually, Waylon did not adapt well.

“I became his teacher,” Hill said.

Fortunately, that task concluded when schools reopened this spring after nearly a year. The Hill clan will summer in the Chicago area this summer while Shelbi works for Arlington Park in what is expected to be the track's final season.

“I will stay home with the kids and try to get better and healthier and see where the year takes me,” he said. “I feel really good. I have been doing some exercising on my own. I really can't use my left hand but the rest of me feels really good.”

Like father, like son

In some ways, Hill's lifestyle mimics his own upbringing in which he was closely connected to his father, Allan Hill, a Nebraska exercise rider and jockey.

When he was about 12, he began traveling the racing circuit with his father, who won 667 races from 8,520 mounts. The experience included working at odds jobs in the jockeys' quarters that inspired his interest in following his father's career. He had no personal knowledge of horses until he took lessons on ponies at the farm of a family friend. A natural talent, he quickly graduated to Thoroughbreds.

As soon as he turned 16, Hill obtained his jockey's license and rode his first three races at the track in Columbus, Neb., in 2003. By 2004, after competing at Columbus, Lincoln Park, and Prairie Meadows, he shifted his base to Aqueduct. He was a logical choice for the Eclipse Award when he closed 2005 with 135 wins and $5 million in purses. With slightly better statistics, the honor went to Emma-Jayne Wilson, who sat near Hill, his father and friends at the awards ceremony at the legendary Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

“The one thing that struck me as the biggest that night was Emma-Jayne,” he said. “She and her agent were the nicest, most gracious winners I have ever seen. They were so classy. That made me cheer for her even more.”

As Hill proceeds to his return to racing riding, his record stands at 1,204 victories and $51,355,057 in earnings from 10,987 mounts. His triumphs include the Grade 1 Forego Handicap in 2008 for Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel and owner-breeder Juddmonte Farms on First Defence. Other achievements include several graded scores aboard Catalano-trained Farrell and finishing third in the 2017 Preakness Stakes aboard Senior Investment.

As Hill looks forward to adding to his stats, he is capitalizing on his extended holiday.

“I am happy that I am able to be home and take this as an opportunity to be with my family,” he said. “This is the only way a jockey can get a long vacation. I am maximizing my time with my kids for however much time I have off.”

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CHRB Approves Stricter Penalties For Whip Use, Hopes To Have New Rule In Place For Breeders’ Cup

Hoping to have a new rule in place for the 2021 Breeders' Cup at Del Mar in November, the California Horse Racing Board approved on Wednesday new, stricter penalties to impose on jockeys for excessive whip use, reports the Daily Racing Form.

Since Oct. 1, California jockeys have been limited to six underhanded strikes of the whip, and are allowed two strikes before pausing to allow for a response. Stewards have fined jockeys a total of $28,300 since the new rules were implemented, primarily for using the whip more than six times.

In a unanimous vote, the CHRB approved a rule establishing a minimum fine of $500 and possible three-day suspension for excessive whip use. The current rule calls for a maximum fine of $1,000, along with the possible three-day suspension.

The CHRB's new penalty rule will have a 45-day public comment period before coming back for final approval.

“I think this protects the domestic rider,” said CHRB Chairman Gregory Ferraro. “Our concern had been that riders, particularly from foreign countries, could violate the rule and a $500 fine and three-day suspension would be meaningless to them. This allows for considerably more punishment for egregious violations and makes it more fair to our domestic riding colony.”

“This addresses the concern that I had right along, that has been any excessive whipping and putting in-state riders at a disadvantage,” echoed commissioner Oscar Gonzalez. “I believe this measure addresses any concerns I had. I'm hoping this is something we can adopt and have in place by Breeders' Cup.”

Polo For The PDJF: Jockeys On OTTBs In Benefit Event At Commonwealth Polo Club

Commonwealth Polo Club is hosting the first “Polo for the PDJF” on Friday, April 23, 2021, in Paris, Kentucky, with proceeds benefiting the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (“PDJF”).

The evening will include dinner, drinks, entertainment, a silent auction, with the main attraction being the retired and active jockeys who will be playing polo while riding retired race horses. Jockeys who will be playing include Chris McCarron, Rosie Napravnik, PJ Cooksey, Anthony Stephen, Michael Heath and many others. Additionally, the event will be emceed by Hall of Fame jockey, Gary Stevens, and attended by Shane Sellers, Jean Cruget, Sandy Hawley, Mike Manganello, and Gary Birzer, along with other active and retired jockeys.

“We are really looking forward to the event,” said Susan Moulton, wife of well-known retired jockey Shane Sellers, and member of Commonwealth Polo Club. “They are coming out to play to raise money and awareness for their fellow jockeys who have suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of an on-track accident. As there is no guaranteed funding for the PDJF, it is important that we come together as an industry to assist in providing for these jockeys who gave so much for the sport of horse racing.”

Moulton, along with Matt Bowling of Bowling Bloodstock, Vinery Sales and Silver Springs Training, and Jorge Vasquez, co-founder of the Commonwealth Polo Club, came up with the idea and are hoping to make it an annual event.

“Raising awareness for the risk and injuries jockeys face is something that is important to me,” said Vasquez, “as I have a brother who is a retired jockey and many family members and friends who are in the racing industry.”

During the silent auction, guests will be given the opportunity to bid on a unique array of items including autographed racing memorabilia, artwork, jewelry, and equestrian items. Auction items of interest include halters worn by American Pharoah and Justify donated by Coolmore America, Tapit donated by Gainesway Farm, and Midnight Bisou donated by Bloom Racing Stables and Hill N Dale Farm.

Sponsors of the polo teams include Gainesway Farm, Winstar Farm, Godolphin at Jonabell Farm, Mt. Brilliant Farm, Safari North Farm, Team Valor, Bowling Bloodstock, Vinery Sales, and Silver Springs Training.

Musical Entertainment will be “The Steve Norman Band.” There will be food provided by Proud Mary BBQ. The gates open at 6:30 p.m. with the polo match beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST. Admission for the event is $10 per car load. Commonwealth Polo Club is located at 2665 Bethlehem Road in Paris, Kentucky.

For more information please contact Jorge Vasquez at Commonwealth Polo Club at 859-321-6785.

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