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Pennsylvania: Continued Casino Closures Would Make Racing Dependent On Break-Even Handle

Penn National's current purse account will allow the Grantville, Penn. track to race through the end of January whether or not Hollywood Casino remains closed, according to a Tuesday memo from the Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association executive director Todd Mostoller.

Should Gov. Tom Wolf extend the casino closure past the current Jan. 4 expiration date, however, racing at Penn National will become contingent on track handle.

“Penn National has agreed to continue live racing through [January], provided the handle generates a break-even scenario for the company,” Mostoller wrote. “This is estimated to be a handle of roughly $1.4 million per night.”

Mostoller's memo indicated that both the track and the Pennsylvania HBPA are confident that level of handle is achievable, but added that if it is not, Penn National management will “likely wish to temporarily shut down racing.”

The memo concluded with an encouragement to bet the races through HollywoodRaces.com: “A bet placed on Penn National races through this ADW is treated the same as a wager placed on track, resulting in considerably higher revenue for both horsemen and the track.”

The post Pennsylvania: Continued Casino Closures Would Make Racing Dependent On Break-Even Handle appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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COVID-19: Golden Gate Fields To Remain Closed Until Dec. 26

With the continued regard for the safety and well-being of 1/ST RACING employees, those working on the backstretch and the community at large, and in following the best guidance from local health authorities, Golden Gate Fields' leadership has decided to continue its temporary suspension of live racing at the Albany, Calif. track until the scheduled opening day of the winter meet on Dec. 26.

Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Golden Gate Fields has implemented stringent health and safety measures including, strict social distancing, masking policies and regular COVID-19 testing with isolation requirements for any positive cases or identified close contacts.

On Nov. 13, Golden Gate Fields announced a one-week temporary closure to address a COVID-19 outbreak that was then extended until Dec. 4. Since then, all track facilities have undergone thorough cleaning and track-wide COVID-19 testing has been administered to all 1/ST RACING employees and to all those who work on the backstretch. The track will continue testing until all tests are returned negative and will continue to collaborate and share all testing data with the Berkeley Public Health Division (BPHD).

All positive cases are overseen by the BPHD or the neighboring public health departments, as appropriate, through their respective case managers. Positive cases are required to isolate as per local health protocols and are not able to return to Golden Gate Fields until health clearance has been provided by the BPHD or the corresponding public health department.

The 1,300 horses stabled onsite will continue to receive the daily care and exercise they require.

The post COVID-19: Golden Gate Fields To Remain Closed Until Dec. 26 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Charles Town Adds Four Wednesday Programs To 2020 Racing Calendar

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has added a quartet of Wednesday programs to its remaining 2020 live racing calendar, following approval by the West Virginia Racing Commission at its meeting on Wednesday morning.

The four additional live cards on Nov. 25, Dec. 2, Dec. 9, and Dec. 16 all kick off at 7:00 P.M. EST, and come as a result of positive COVID-19 tests emanating from the jockeys room necessitating a cancellation of the prior two weeks of racing.

Live racing at Charles Town is slated to resume tomorrow evening, Thursday, Nov. 19, with the same first race post of 7:00 P.M.

The post Charles Town Adds Four Wednesday Programs To 2020 Racing Calendar appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Laurel Reopens to Public on Limited Basis

The Maryland Jockey Club has been the green light by state and county officials to reopen Laurel Park to the public on a limited basis beginning with the Thursday, Oct. 15 program. The move stems from gaining approval from Anne Arundel County, where Laurel Park is located, in addition to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s revised executive order issued Sept. 28, which allows up to 250 spectators at state racetracks. Laurel Park opened its calendar year-ending fall meet Oct. 8, five days after the conclusion of the six-day Preakness Meet at Pimlico Race Course.

The 250 persons allowed in the executive order are in addition to owners and other licensed personnel that have been granted access in order to conduct live racing. Post time for Thursday’s eight-race program at Laurel is 12:40 p.m.

Owners, patrons and employees will be granted entry through Laurel’s grandstand entrance after having their temperature screened with a thermal camera. The horsemen’s entrance adjacent to the historic paddock will only be staffed on live race days beginning at 8 a.m. for authorized personnel only. Facial coverings and proper social distancing are required for all persons and will be strictly enforced. Physical barriers have been installed where personal interaction is necessary, and increased disinfection and sanitization of common areas will be in place. Laurel’s simulcast room will be at 50% capacity.

While remaining dark Mondays and Tuesdays, Laurel will be open for simulcasting on Wednesdays as well as live racing Thursday through Sunday in October and November. The first-floor grandstand concession area will operate from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on those days, with the second-floor grandstand sports book bar open Friday through Sunday. Laurel’s first-floor clubhouse, currently being used to accommodate jockeys and valets, will remain closed to the public.

The post Laurel Reopens to Public on Limited Basis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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