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Fernandez Is Fifth Jockey Tied To Los Alamitos To Test Positive For COVID-19

Jockey Eduard Rojas Fernandez is the fifth jockey to ride at Los Alamitos and test positive for COVID-19 in the past month, reports the Daily Racing Form. Fernandez was off his evening mounts over the three-day racing weekend after he was notified of the positive.

Neil Bricks, Fernandez' agent, said the rider did not have acute symptoms. Fernandez posted on Twitter in Spanish that he “will be out for weeks.”

Other riders reporting COVID-19 positives this month include: Victor Espinoza, Martin Garcia, Flavien Prat, and Luis Saez, each of whom rode the Thoroughbred card at Los Alamitos on July 4.

Garcia later rode at Prairie Meadows; Saez had mounts at Belmont, Indiana Grand, and Keeneland; and Prat rode at both Del Mar and Keeneland.

Luis Saez Tests Positive For Coronavirus At Keeneland, Remains Asymptomatic

Jockey Luis Saez was abruptly removed from mounts early on Friday's race card at Keeneland after he was notified he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to the Daily Racing Form's Matt Hegarty.

Saez remains asymptomatic for COVID-19, and was tested Thursday morning as part of routine monitoring for jockeys competing at the track. He will now be required to enter a minimum 10-day quarantine period, which means he will be unable to ride Maximum Security in his anticipated summer debut in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap next weekend.

Two days ago on July 8, fellow jockey Martin Garcia tested positive for the virus as part of routine testing required to ride at Keeneland. Garcia had been on his way to ride at Indiana Grand when he was informed of his test results.

In the past ten days, Saez has ridden at Keeneland, Indiana Grand, Belmont Park and Los Alamitos. Agent Kiaran McLaughlin told Hegarty the rider had tested negative for the virus when in New York on July 5.

Indiana Grand To Implement Jockey Restrictions Beginning Monday, June 15

Indiana Grand Racecourse is working diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of all those involved with the current racing season, which began Monday, June 15. After consultation with the Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC), all jockeys accepting a mount at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino will agree to ride exclusively at the facility. This restriction goes into effect Friday, July 10, 2020 and applies to both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse jockeys.

If a jockey that is currently riding at Indiana Grand enters another jockey's quarters at another racetrack, he or she will not be allowed to return to Indiana Grand without self-quarantining for 14 days. After that time period, the jockey will be required to submit a negative COVID-19 test. This policy will remain in effect until further notice. Jockeys who wish to move their tack to Indiana Grand must also go through the 14-day quarantine and provide a negative Covid-19 test before they will be accepted to ride.

Live racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 18. Action is held Monday through Thursday beginning at 2:20 p.m. Post times for the all-Quarter Horse programs is to be determined.

The post Indiana Grand To Implement Jockey Restrictions Beginning Monday, June 15 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Jockey Martin Garcia Tests Positive For Coronavirus, Remains Asymptomatic

The Daily Racing Form reported Wednesday that jockey Martin Garcia has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to his agent.

Garcia, who has experienced no symptoms of COVID-19, learned of the results from a routine test administered in preparation for him to ride at Keeneland while he was en route to Indiana Grand to ride a stakes race on the Wednesday evening card.

Agent Jay Fedor told writer Matt Hegarty that Garcia turned around and will return to Kentucky for a state mandated 14-day quarantine period. Fedor said a previous routine test at Churchill Downs was negative.

Over the past month, Garcia has ridden at Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Indiana Grand, Los Alamitos, and Prairie Meadows.