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Emerald Downs Announces 10 Percent Across-The-Board Purse Increase

Emerald Downs has announced a 10 percent purse increase for all races the final three weeks of the 2020 live racing season, Wednesday, Oct. 14 through Thursday, Oct. 29.

Through 30 days of live racing, handle is averaging $1,871,799, up 67% over last year.

According to Track President Phil Ziegler the purse increase is a result of better than expected handle.

“We have been pleased at the increased betting on our races plus the increased wagering by Washington residents through the advanced deposit companies,” Ziegler said.

The purse increase includes all races in the final condition book: Wednesday, Oct. 14, Thursday, Oct. 15, Wednesday, Oct. 21, Thursday, Oct. 22, Wednesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 29. For example, a $5,000 maiden claiming race is boosted 10 percent from $6,400 to $7,040, or an open $10,000 claiming race from $11,200 to $12,400.

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COVID-19: Local Officials Prohibit Arizona Downs From Racing In 2020

Citing concerns for public safety and new state orders restricting gathering in public places, local officials have prohibited Arizona Downs from opening this racing season.

That decision comes in the wake of the COVD-19 pandemic and after weeks of discussions between track operators and state and local officials. Though there were initial hopes of hosting races without spectators, local officials raised additional concerns about adequate spacing in stables and other back-of-the-house operations.

“We were hopeful we would be able to host racing, but understand and respect their decision,” said Tom Auther, an Arizona Downs owner. “Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our employees, fans, horsemen and jockeys.”

Earlier this year, Arizona Downs applied with the Arizona Racing Commission to host races through September. But after sharp increases in reported COVID-19 cases across the state, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey in late June issued an Executive Order prohibiting the gathering of more than 50 people unless authorized by local officials. Prescott Valley officials recently provided formal notice to Arizona Downs that racing will not be allowed.

“We recognize the many difficult decisions our state and local leaders have had to make in recent months and appreciate them keeping safety at the forefront of all decisions,” Auther said. “We look forward to working with each of them to ensure the safe and successful opening of Arizona Downs in 2021.”

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Lone Star To Resume Racing July 19, Adds Two Race Dates

Live racing at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Tx. will resume Sunday, July 19 with the first race at 3:05 p.m. The track has COVID-19 guidelines available on its website, including a mask requirement.

Lone Star began its COVID-19-delayed meet on May 22, but it was paused on July 5 when a racing operations employee tested positive for the virus.

Alongside Friday's resumption announcement, Lone Star has announced an 18 percent purse increase, effective Sunday, July 19. The track will also add two additional race days: Aug. 5 and Aug. 12.The races for those days will be previously cancelled races and brought-back book races.

Both divisions of the $100,000-estimated Texas Thoroughbred (Sales) Futurity have been rescheduled for Aug. 11. With the necessary changes to the race schedule, the time between running the first and second legs of the Texas Stallion Stakes Series is not feasible, so both divisions of the second leg have been cancelled. The Texas Thoroughbred Association hopes to run them in January at Sam Houston Race Park.

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Jockey Gerard Melancon, Lone Star Racing Operations Employee Test Positive For Coronavirus

Following Sunday's announcement that live racing at Lone Star Park had been cancelled, the Daily Racing Form reported that jockey Gerard Melancon, who most recently rode at Lone Star on June 28, has tested positive for the coronavirus. Additionally, a positive test was returned by a racing operations employee at the Grand Prairie, Texas track.

Lone Star abruptly cancelled the race card on Sunday after the first race, making the announcement via Twitter. Race cards for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday have also been cancelled.

“Due to an abundance of caution, all racing operations at Lone Star Park have been suspended due to COVID-19,” read Sunday's Tweet. “Racing will resume at a date to be determined.”

Melancon, normally based in Louisiana, rode Mocito Rojo in the $75,000 Lone Star Mile on June 28, and had a fever when he returned to Opelousas, La. on June 29. He improved and a “rapid test” for the virus on June 30 came back negative, so he arrived at Evangeline Downs to ride the July 1 card. Melancon felt dizzy before the races, however, and went to the ambulance and then the hospital where he was diagnosed with acute pneumonia.

Another test for coronavirus came back positive, and Melancon has quarantined himself at home.

The racing operations employee who tested positive has been instructed to self-quarantine as well.

Because of potential exposure to coronavirus, jockeys and employees working in the licensing and racing offices are being told to quarantine for two weeks. It's unclear when racing may resume, but Lone Star may have an opportunity to extend their meet, which is currently scheduled to end on Aug. 11.

Lone Star was forced to delay the start of its live meet until May 22. On June 10, Lone Star management was notified by officials that spectators would be permitted on-track as Texas became one of the first states to reopen its economy.

After an alarming spike in COVID-19 positive tests throughout Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott on July 2 issued an order requiring face coverings in public and giving local officials authority to limit the size of gatherings.

Indiana Grand announced Monday that no individuals from Lone Star will be allowed on the property until they complete a 14-day quarantine and present a negative test for COVID-19:

“Due to the recent news of several positive tests for Covid-19 at Lone Star Park near Dallas, Texas and the suspension of their racing season indefinitely, Indiana Grand Racing and Casino has halted the transfer of all jockeys, exercise riders and grooms from that facility to the racing program in Indiana.

“The decision to prevent participants coming from Lone Star Park into Indiana is a result of a group effort between Indiana Grand, the horsemen's organizations and Indiana Horse Racing Commission, to provide due diligence for the safety of all those currently racing at Indiana Grand.”

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