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Churchill Downs Issues Reminder Of Kentucky Derby Health And Safety Protocols For Spectators

In advance of the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) on Saturday, Churchill Downs Racetrack is reminding guests of the health and safety protocols in place to host America's greatest race. The Kentucky Derby, first staged in 1875, is the longest continually-held major sporting event in the United States.

Owing to physical distancing protocols and other safety measures in place, Churchill Downs is limiting the number of reserved seats to 40 to 50 percent capacity and up to 60 percent in certain private premium areas that allow social distancing. Additionally, Infield-Only general admission ticket sales are limited to approximately 25 to 30 percent of capacity in the spacious, outdoor 22-acre Infield.

Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby Week Health and Safety Operations Plan was developed in close collaboration with public health experts and adheres to the industry-specific guidance for “Venues and Event Spaces,” “Restaurants and Bars” and “Retail Businesses.” Current CDC recommendations guided the formation of the plan. Advice and counsel from the Louisville Metro Health Department along with key elements of Kentucky's Healthy at Work guidance are incorporated throughout the document.

“We've received an exceptional level of guidance from medical experts and public health authorities, and this plan will allow the reduced number of spectators in attendance to celebrate Kentucky Derby 147 in a safe and responsible way,” Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson said.

All attendees should perform a health self-assessment prior to their arrival at Churchill Downs. Anyone with an elevated temperature or illness should refrain from attending.

Although the Kentucky mask mandate was lifted for outdoor events of less than 1,000, state mask requirements still apply for guests of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby due to attendance in excess of 1,000. Protective face coverings/masks are required for all guests unless seated while actively eating or drinking. Guests will be encouraged to socially distance themselves from others when possible.

In addition, Churchill Downs has implemented a Compliance Ambassador program to drive awareness and adoption of public safety measures. Signage is placed throughout the facility, including the Infield, to remind guests to wear masks and practice social distancing. Messaging also will be programmed on television monitors including the 171' x 90' Panasonic TV Screen known as the “Big Board.”

Compliance of Churchill Downs' public safety measures is a condition of admittance. Offenders will receive a warning; repeat offenders will be escorted from the property without a refund.

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Belmont Park Re-Opens To Limited Spectators On Saturday, May 1

Following the issuance of detailed racetrack health and safety protocols by New York State, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that Belmont Park will re-open to a limited number of spectators on Saturday, May 1.

In accordance with New York State requirements, spectators must purchase track admission in advance and adhere to strict health and safety protocols designed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.

“NYRA has been working collectively toward this goal since the start of the pandemic and we are thrilled to be able to welcome fans back to Belmont Park,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. “We thank our fans for their loyalty and support over this challenging year and look forward to the spring and summer ahead.”

In order to enter Belmont Park, in accordance with New York State requirements, all ticketed spectators must submit proof of a completed vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result.

Individuals are considered fully vaccinated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)/New York State 14 days or more after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 14 days or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson / Janssen).

Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72-hours of the event start time or a negative antigen test collected within six hours of the event start time.

Ticketed spectators may submit proof of completed vaccination by presenting the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or digitally through the New York State Excelsior Pass.

Ticketed spectators may submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test result by presenting a physical copy of the test result or digitally through the New York State Excelsior Pass.

NYRA encourages all ticketed spectators who have been vaccinated or tested in New York State to download the Excelsior Pass today, which can be found at https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/excelsior-pass.

NYRA will adjust admission protocols accordingly should the CDC/New York State alter COVID-19 vaccination and/or testing requirements.

Daily tickets to Belmont Park will be available for $15 and will include track admission, a reserved seat in the Clubhouse, a pocket program and reserved parking. Assigned seating is mandatory and groups will be physically separated within all seating areas to ensure social distancing. On-site wagering will be available. During opening weekend, all ticketed spectators will receive a Daily Racing Form free of charge.

Following opening weekend, Belmont Park will be open to limited spectators on all live race days.

All admission must be purchased in advance at nyra.com/belmont/tickets/.

There will be no walk-up ticket sales of any kind. In order to enter Belmont Park, tickets must be presented digitally via a mobile device through Ticketmaster.com or the NYRA Account Manager. For additional details, visit the NYRA digital ticket guide.

In accordance with New York State requirements, daily attendance is limited to 20 percent of seated capacity for outdoor areas.

In addition, all ticketed spectators must complete a health questionnaire and submit to a contactless temperature check prior to entering Belmont Park. The required health questionnaire will be emailed to ticketed spectators prior to the event date and must be completed within 12 hours of gates opening.

Facial coverings are mandatory at Belmont Park for all ticketed spectators and personnel at all times.

Saturday's stakes action at Belmont features a trio of graded events with the Grade 2, $200,000 Fort Marcy for older horses at nine furlongs on turf; the Grade 2, $200,000 Sheepshead Bay at 11 furlongs on turf for older fillies and mares; and the Grade 3, $200,000 Westchester at one mile on the main track for older horses. First post is 12:20 p.m. Eastern.

Gates at Belmont Park will open to the public at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Ticketed spectators can watch and wager on the 147th running of the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs following the conclusion of live racing at Belmont. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is slated for 6:57 p.m.

Food and beverage options will be available for purchase. During opening weekend, outside coolers are not permitted at Belmont Park. The Belmont Café is currently the site of a Northwell Heath vaccination center and is closed to the public.

Social distancing will be enforced throughout the property, including in the area surrounding the paddock and length of the apron.

For additional information on spectator protocols at Belmont Park, please visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/visit/plan-your-visit.

Ticketing information for the 2021 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be released in the near future.

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Fans Welcomed Back At Washington’s Emerald Downs

Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash. is excited to welcome back fans for the 2021 racing season! The health & safety of our fans, employees, and racing industry participants is and always will be our top priority!

Tickets for the first 10 race days (May 19-June 17) will go on sale soon. You are strongly encouraged to pre-purchase tickets on-line. Tickets will be available at the gates only if availability remains. Daily attendance is limited as per protocols in place for spectator sports in Washington.

A day at the track will look and feel different in 2021 but the thrills and fun of live horse racing will be the same as always! Please read over all race day information before purchasing tickets.

Emerald Downs follows all guidelines and protocols in the Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery plan.

FACE MASKS: Required at all times for fans ages 2 and older except when actively drinking or eating while seated. Masks are not permitted to be removed at any time while standing or walking throughout the track.

ADULT TICKET PRICES: $10 per person now includes general admission and a Race Program. This is a $2 savings from previous years. $13 per person includes general admission, a Race Program, and a reserved grandstand seat. Reserved seats will be socially spaced between groups.

CHILDREN TICKETS: $5 for children ages 12 and under. ($8 includes a reserved seat)

PARKING: Both free general parking and paid Preferred Parking will be available. There will be no Valet parking service this season.

ADMISSION POLICIES: No outside food or beverages permitted with the exception of a sealed 32 oz bottle of water or smaller per person.

SEATING: General admission bench and table seating is available throughout the track. All seating will be clearly marked to ensure 6-foot separation between groups. For reserved grandstand seats, social distancing protocols have been built into the ticketing system.

SMOKING: There is no smoking in any public areas of the track.

FOOD & BEVERAGE/CONCESSIONS: All bars and concessions are cashless with the exception of Quick Pix on Floor 5. If you do not have a debit or credit card you may purchase a gift card at Customer Service on track level or Floor 5. You may also use Apple or Google Pay. Menus will be streamlined with food packaged and ready to expedite your time at the concession stands.

WAGERING: A greater percentage of wagering machines will be self-service. Please follow the floor markers to maintain social distancing while waiting to bet. Contactless wagering is available using betemerald.com while at the track. See customer service for details.

RACING FORMS: Forms and simulcast programs will be sold at customer service.

GIFT SHOP: The Gift Shop is currently closed.

5th FLOOR DINING TABLES: A limited number of Rainier Dining tables will be open on Floor 5. Each table has a television monitor. These will be first come, first served on each race day. There will be no dining service. You may order food and beverages at Quick Pix and bring them to your table.

BOX SEATS: Boxes will be sold by calling customer service at 253-288-7711. As only a limited number of boxes are available, priority will be given to 2019 box seat holders. Box Seats are available on Floors 3 & 5.

SUITES: There are four suites available each race day. Please call the track at 253-288-7000 if you are interested. Windows must remain open in all suites and occupancy is limited to 25%.

2021 RACE DATES

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Belmont’s Meet Begins Without Spectators; NYRA Working To Determine Re-Opening Date

The 48-day Belmont Park spring/summer meet will begin on Thursday, April 22, without spectators in attendance.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will be able to determine when Belmont Park will re-open to spectators following the issuance of detailed guidance from New York State addressing health and safety protocols specific to racetracks.

“We are incredibly eager to turn the page on this pandemic and safely open Belmont Park to fans as quickly as possible,” said Dave O'Rourke, NYRA President and CEO. “Although Belmont Park will be closed to spectators throughout Opening Weekend, NYRA looks forward to seeing fans in the stands right back where they belong this spring and summer.”

The 48-day Belmont spring/summer meet boasts 59 total stakes races worth $16.95 million in total purse money.

“NYRA is committed to ensuring the safest possible environment for fans and will make any adjustments necessary so that the Northwell Health vaccination center operating at Belmont can continue to serve as many New Yorkers as possible,” O'Rourke added. “We thank Governor Cuomo and the state for paving the way for a successful summer at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.”

America's Day at the Races, the acclaimed national telecast produced by NYRA in partnership with FOX Sports, will present live racing throughout the Belmont Park spring/summer meet that will run Thursday through Sunday, July 11. Opening Day action from Belmont will feature on America's Day at the Races on FS2 from 1 – 5 p.m. Eastern.

Thursday's meet opener at Belmont includes five turf races on the eight-race card. In April, first post time at Belmont will be 1 p.m. Eastern.

For additional information please visit NYRA.com.

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