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Churchill Has Issued Proposal for Derby Spectators, Waiting to Hear From Governor

After submitting its proposal to allow fans to attend this year’s GI Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs officials are expecting to hear back from Governor Andy Beshear this week.

At his press briefing Monday, Beshear said he is reviewing Churchill’s proposal and would announce a decision shortly. Alluding to the GI Belmont S., where fans were not allowed in the stands, Beshear said he envisioned that the Kentucky Derby will be “different” than the Belmont.

“I believe that Churchill Downs made a very good decision to move the race,” the governor said. “It certainly wouldn’t have been safe when it was. I think they are offering a lot of concessions and are looking at safety precautions. I hope to have some information on this this week.”

“We submitted a plan to the governor’s office and we have continued our ongoing discussions about having a Kentucky Derby with spectators,” said Darren Rogers, Churchill’s senior director of communications. “We have had good, careful collaboration with their office and they have asked some questions and we gave them our answers. We expect to hear some news this week.”

Churchill has not released details of its proposal and it is not clear if management is seeking to have a Derby with an unlimited amount of spectators or one where the number of people that can attend is capped.

“Our team has worked through a number of different scenarios based on whatever permissions are granted,” Rogers said. “We want to have as many people as we can while operating safely and responsibly.”

Because of the pandemic, the date of the Derby was shifted from May 2 to Sept. 5 in hopes that by Labor Day weekend the coronavirus situation would become more manageable. It appears that will be the case. Beshear said in his press briefing Monday that he had no new coronavirus deaths to report and said he could only recall two other days since the pandemic started that that was the case. Kentucky will move into its next phase of reopening Monday. When that happens, Beshear said, “just about everything in the commonwealth will be open in some capacity.”

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Top Timber Contenders Andi’amu, Doc Cebu Will Line Up In Saturday’s Virginia Gold Cup

This year, for the first time in its 95-year history and due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Virginia Gold is being held as a livestream event only—no spectators. As one of the largest steeplechase race meets in the U.S., the usual 60,000 on-site spectators and the roar of the crowd as horses race for the finish will be missed by many.

On Saturday, June 27, the Virginia Gold Cup will be livestreamed starting at 12:15 p.m. EDT. Jockeys, trainers, grooms and only essential personnel are allowed on the race grounds and all are following strict CDC and health department guidelines. The livestream is available at no cost and may be seen at this link http://nsa.network.video/.

A total of 106 horses will run in 10 races on the 27th with $220,000 in purse money, and the signature race is the Virginia Gold Cup with its $40,000 purse. While the other races have as many as 14 contenders, the Virginia Gold Cup is a timber race that requires stamina and ability. The race is four miles, which is long for many horses (the hurdle races throughout the day are 2-1/8 miles long.)

While the Virginia Gold Cup has attracted a quality field of entries, two horses in particular stand out—Andi'amu and Doc Cebu. They are timber champions and each horse has a solid record. In 2019, Andi'amu won the Virginia Gold Cup by three lengths. Doc Cebu won the International Gold Cup in 2017 with an 11-length victory and he won again in 2018. He was second in the esteemed 2020 Middleburg Hunt Cup two weeks ago against Andi'amu, the winner.

Another contender for the Virginia Gold Cup is Schoodic. He won the 2019 International Gold Cup and Genesee Valley Hunt Cup. He opened his timber career in 2019 with three starting victories. Other entries include Lemony Bay, Super Saturday, Curve of Stones, Storm Team and Codrington College—all are formidable contenders.

The Virginia Gold Cup race gets underway at 3 p.m. EDT on June 27. There are also other exciting races throughout the day. The Steeplethon, a three-mile timber race at 1:30 p.m. takes horses and jockeys around a very unusual course that includes a big splash as horses gallop across a pond as part of the course.

In addition to racing, there will be virtual tailgate, hat and trivia contests throughout the day. Learn more at : www.facebook.com/vagoldcup, www.instagram.com/virginiagoldcup/ or @vagoldcup. Be sure to include #vagoldcup2020. Entries must be sent by midnight Saturday, June 27. Winners will be selected by 5 p.m. on Monday, June 29 and notified on the week of June 29. The winning tailgate (first place) will receive an Oakwood Box to the 2020 International Gold Cup. Runners up and hat contest winners will receive Gold Cup t-shirts, commemorative cups, and Gold Cup hats. For the tailgate contest, three winners will be selected in first, second and third place based on creativity, theme and quality of menu. For the hat contest, five winners will be selected—most glamourous, most outrageous, best racing theme, best men's hat and best child's hat.

Trivia questions throughout the day on the 27th will include questions to action on the livestream. First respondents with correct answers will be able to win tickets to future Gold Cup races, hats, shirts, etc.

“We hope some of our many Virginia Gold Cup fans will celebrate the day with safe-distancing watch parties, tailgating and hat contests,” stated Dr. William Allison, chairman of the Virginia Gold Cup Association.

For more information on the 95th running of the Virginia Gold Cup, visit vagoldcup.com.

The post Top Timber Contenders Andi’amu, Doc Cebu Will Line Up In Saturday’s Virginia Gold Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Charles Town To Reopen For Fans, Simulcasting Operations On June 22

Following a previous order by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice that would allow patrons at live sporting events effective June 22, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is pleased to announce the reopening of the first floor of its grandstand for live racing and simulcasting operations beginning on Monday, June 22 at 12:00 P.M EST.

Closed to racing spectators since March, Charles Town will be reopening not only its first floor to the public for wagering on live racing and simulcast signals from around the country but will also reopen its trackside apron for its live racing programs.

In working with state and local leaders, the track has developed a series of protocols designed to welcome back both guests and team members in a safe environment. These new protocols include, but are not limited to, the following:

Social Distancing

The installation of floor decals and signage to strictly enforce social distancing guidelines in areas where lines typically form.
Mutuel windows and self-service terminals will be configured to meet social distancing requirements.
The only food service to be offered at the outset will be limited to prepared food from our food court.
The box seat area and second floor of the grandstand will remain closed
Capacity restrictions for the Charles Town property will be in effect

Health & Safety

Team members, vendors and racing participants will be required to wear masks and will undergo a health screening each day, including temperature checks, prior to their shift.
Guests will be encouraged to wear masks and must respond to a verbal health screening prior to entry to the property.
There will initially be one entry for the general public to the property.
Mutuel windows and self-service terminals will be thoroughly and regularly cleaned.
Sanitizer stations will be installed on the floor and be readily available throughout the facility.
We will deploy a fog machine to disinfect and sanitize every night.

Live racing will continue to be held at Charles Town on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings with a first race post time of 7:00 P.M. EST. Full-day simulcasting from tracks around the country will take place from Thursday through Sunday, with opening and closing times on the other days dictated by the number of tracks in operation.

In order to accommodate patrons looking to wager on this Saturday's Belmont Stakes, Charles Town intends on opening a pair of self-service mutuel terminals located near the Sportsbook on the gaming side of the facility for the day's events.

The post Charles Town To Reopen For Fans, Simulcasting Operations On June 22 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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