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Monmouth Park, William Hill Sports Book Will Reopen To Fans On July 2

Monmouth Park will re-open for simulcast wagering and sports betting at the William Hill Sports Book on Thursday, July 2, after Gov. Phil Murphy gave approval for the track to do so on Monday as part of state's Stage 2 loosening of restrictions to slow the spread of Covid-19.

Monmouth Park, which opens for its 75th season of live racing on Friday, July 3, will be permitted to operate at 25 percent capacity starting July 2. Additional details are forthcoming.

Monmouth Park has been closed to fans since March 16, when restrictions were put into place to slow the spread of the virus.

“We're grateful for Gov. Murphy's leadership throughout this pandemic and look forward to getting back to some semblance of business as usual in these times of a new normal,” said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development LLC, operators of the racetrack. “We know our fans are as eager to return to Monmouth Park as we are to have them back.”

The 37-day live Monmouth Park meet will run from Friday, July 3, through Sunday, Sept. 27. Post time on Fridays will be 5 p.m. (except for Sept. 4 when it will be 12:50 p.m.). Saturday and Sunday post times will be 12:50 p.m., except Haskell Day on July 18, when the first race goes at noon.

For more information visit www.monmouthpark.com or follow the racetrack on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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After Weeks Of Negotiation, Arlington Park, Horsemen Come To Agreement For 2020 Meet

Live racing at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Il. will begin on July 23, as approved by the Illinois Racing Board during a special teleconference meeting on Monday.

That approval was held up by contract negotiations between Arlington representatives and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, with the two sides close to an agreement several times over the past two weeks. The main sticking point had been the length of the contract; Arlington wanted a two-year deal, while the ITHA wanted to keep it to a single year.

After multiple rescheduled meetings of the IRB, the parties finally came to an agreement and signed a contract shortly before Monday's teleconference call. Live racing will begin at Arlington on July 23 without spectators, and racing a total of 30 race days on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays with daily post times of 2 p.m. or 2:30 p.m.

The Arlington Million will not be held in 2020.

On Monday's call, a recess of the meeting had to be called after Hawthorne Race Course's assistant general manager John Walsh suggested his track be awarded some dark host days, and the ensuing conversation became heated.

“Dark host days” award an increased portion of revenues collected from off-track betting on days without live racing. Walsh made the argument that Hawthorne had incurred costs of approximately $239,000 per month for the three months its backside was open while Arlington Park's remained closed, allowing horsemen to have a place to stable their horses during the pandemic.

Arlington representatives balked at the idea, arguing that reassigning dark host days would put the Arlington meet in jeopardy due to having to reassess purse money.

Following the 30-minute recess, a motion for Hawthorne to receive some of Arlington's dark host days was defeated 5-1. The motion to approve the existing Arlington Park/ITHA agreement then passed unanimously.

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Live Racing At Emerald Downs Resumes Wednesday; Superfecta Takeout Reduced To 15 Percent

Live racing returns as Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash. begins its 25th season with a 10-race program on Wednesday, June 24. First post is 2:15 p.m.

Racing will be conducted with no fans or spectators at this time.

Eighty-six horses are entered on opening day (8.6 per race) and will perform under ideal weather conditions. The forecast calls for sunshine and a high of 77 degrees.

Wednesday's opener also marks the region's first live sporting event in the state of Washington since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown in March. Spectators will not be allowed on-track, but wagering is available via various advance deposit wagering (ADW) companies.

“It's exciting to get going,” said Emerald Downs' President Phil Ziegler. “It certainly isn't the opening day we were planning for, but it will be special in its own way as it marks the return of pro sports in Washington.”

The updated schedule calls for a 44-day season through Sunday, October 4, with racing every Wednesday and Thursday (5 p.m.)

Emerald Downs also has announced an industry low 15% takeout on all superfecta wagers with a minimum bet of 10 cents.

A revised stakes schedule includes 16 stakes worth an aggregate $720,000, tentatively beginning with the $40,000 Angie C Stakes and $40,000 King County Express on Aug. 2. The 85th renewal of the $100,000 Longacres Mile (G3) is tentatively set for Sept. 13.

In the jockey colony, defending riding champion Gary Wales has nine mounts opening day. A 34-year-old Scotsman, Wales rode 99 winners last year while finishing 33 wins clear of runner-up Kevin Orozco. A top newcomer is Alex Cruz, a 27-year-old native of Puerto Rico who was the leading rider with 77 wins this winter at Turf Paradise. Juan Gutierrez, begins the season needing 46 wins to tie Gallyn Mitchell's all-time Emerald Downs' record of 1,419 wins.

On the trainers' side, Frank Lucarelli comes off a remarkable season in which he shattered the single-season mark with 81 wins. Lucarelli has finished first or second in 16 of the last 20 seasons and ranks No. 1 all-time in Emerald Downs wins (1,025) and earnings ($11,164,219). Blaine Wright, the leading stakes trainer each of the last four years, also returns in 2020, along with Washington Hall of Fame trainers Howard Belvoir, Doris Harwood, Sharon Ross and Tim McCanna. Belvoir and Lucarelli are both busy opening day, with seven and six horses entered respectively.

The opening day feature is a $13,600 allowance/optional claimer for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs. The 11-horse field includes Wine At Nine, an 8-year-old gelding with 17 career Emerald Downs' wins, along with local stakes winners This Great Nation, Makah Lane and Muncey.

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Penn National Takes 93 Entries Over Nine Races For June 19 Reopening

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, Penn. is pleased to announce the return of live Thoroughbred racing on Friday, June 19 following a near three-month hiatus. A total of 93 entries hit the overnight for the nine-race card which features a pair of turf sprints and a $2,537.87 carryover in the Pick 5 starting in Race 5.

Penn National last conducted live racing on Saturday, March 14 with the track and casino closing their doors on March 16 in response to COVID-19.

“It has been a long process for everyone – horsemen, employees and guests – to get back to this point to restarting live racing but we are grateful for the response to our returning card,” said Eric Johnston, Director of Racing Operations.

Live racing into early July will be conducted on Wednesdays and Fridays with a first post of 6:00 P.M. EST. An expanded racing schedule will be reviewed based on horse supply and available purse revenues going forward.

COVID -19 mitigation protocols approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission have been put into effect covering all individuals associated with racing and include mandatory use of face coverings, social distancing and limits on individuals permitted in the racing related areas. For the opening weekend the track apron will not be open for the general public and only licensed trainers and grooms shall be permitted in the paddock area for their specific races only.

The third-floor simulcast area will be open for simulcast wagering and viewing of live races starting June 19 and will be open seven days a week. Capacity limits will be enforced. The gaming areas at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course will reopen at 9:00 A.M. on Friday, June 19. More information on the casino and racetrack reopening can be found at www.hollyywoodpnrc.com.

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