Peninsula Pacific Entertainment | Horse Racing Free Tips

Arizona Downs announced a new partnership with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) for the 2021 summer racing meet. P2E has an extensive track record of supporting horse racing in Virginia and Louisiana, and will consult with Arizona Downs regarding the management of the live racing and simulcast operations during the racing season.

“Arizona horse racing has faced numerous challenges in recent years and the COVID-19 pandemic placed additional strain on the industry,” said Tom Auther, managing member of JACOR, the owner of Arizona Downs. “We are pleased to partner with P2E who has the knowledge and expertise to help revitalize Arizona horse racing.”

P2E is the owner and operator of the Colonial Downs Group, consisting of the Colonial Downs Racetrack and five Rosie's Gaming Emporiums throughout Virginia powered by historic horse racing technology.

Arizona Downs and the Arizona Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association (AZHBPA) have reached agreement on a live racing contract and the terms of the 2021 race meet. The 2021 racing program offers the most attractive race meet in Arizona Downs history. The meet consists of 32 race days at a daily average of $70,000 per day beginning June 1 through Sept. 15. Live racing occurs Tuesdays and Wednesdays with the first race post scheduled for 2:30PM (MST)/ 4:30PM (EST).

“P2E developed a proven formula in Virginia that resurrected the horse racing in the state after a six-year hiatus,” said Bob Hutton, President of the AZHBPA. “Our association did our due-diligence and received high praise from our colleagues in Virginia about P2E. We are looking forward to the summer meet.”

P2E is a trailblazer in the gaming, racing and entertainment industry with multiple gaming and entertainment destinations across the county and more developments planned in the near future. The company focuses on introducing a modern approach to horse racing and implementing these successful concepts across the country.

“The cornerstone of our success is based on service, quality, community and the people who make it work,” said Aaron Gomes, COO of P2E. “We apply this to all we do, and we are pleased to share with Arizona Downs and Arizona horsemen guidance that has made our Virginia operations successful.”

The post Arizona Downs Announces Partnership With Colonial Downs Operator appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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In light of the unprecedented pandemic impacting all walks of life and industries, Colonial Downs Group, a subsidiary of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, announced today that it will alter course from hosting limited spectators to a “spectator-free” racing program for the 2020 race meet, which opens Monday, July 27.

The decision to conduct the meeting without spectators is at the request of the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) and the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (V-HBPA). . The change to “spectator free” racing is out of an abundance of caution and enables Colonial Downs to focus extra care towards key operating areas, such as the jockeys' quarters, paddock supervision, racing office and the stabling area.

“We accept the position of our industry partners that adjusting to spectator-free racing is ultimately best for protecting the health and safety of our racing participants,” said John Marshall, Executive Vice President of Operations for Colonial Downs.  “Our team is prepared to deliver a quality racing product while ensuring a safely run meet, which is our chief objective.”

Colonial Downs joins the group of major racetracks in the region racing without spectators including Saratoga, Laurel Park and Penn National. Spectators will not be permitted on the outdoor apron or the grandstand seats, and the 4th floor restaurant (1609) and suites will remain closed.

The 2020 Colonial Downs meeting will be conducted on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, with first post time at 5:30 p.m. ET. The meeting will conclude on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

“Our horsemen fully support the decision to conduct racing without fans at Colonial this summer, otherwise the public health risk is too great,” said Frank Petramalo, Jr., Executive Director of V-HBPA. “There is a bright spot — all our races will be televised live on the TVG network, and people can wager on TVG or on other on-line sites.”

Fans are encouraged to watch Colonial Downs live on TVG channel 718 Xfinity, 399 Dish or 602 Direct TV, and wager by setting up an account on www.tvg.com.

As part of the protocols for jockeys participating in the upcoming meeting, Colonial Downs has established the following procedures:

Jockeys must provide a negative Covid-19 test before arriving on Colonial Downs grounds for the first time, and the test must have been taken since last riding elsewhere.
Jockeys who leave Colonial Downs to ride elsewhere, or enter another racetracks jockey's quarters, will not be permitted to return to Colonial Downs unless they self-quarantine for 14 days and obtain and provide a negative Covid-19 test.

The post Colonial Downs Adjusts To Spectator-Free Racing, Implements Jockey Restrictions appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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