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Breeders’ Cup At Del Mar To Utilize 100 Percent Of Seated Capacity

Breeders' Cup announced Wednesday plans to utilize 100 percent of seated capacity at Del Mar racetrack for the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships in Del Mar, Calif. Tickets will go on sale to the public at Noon ET / 9:00 a.m. PT on Friday, July 16. Available seating options and pricing can be viewed now at BreedersCup.com/tickets.

Del Mar is set to host the World Championships, one of Thoroughbred racing's most prestigious international events, for just the second time on Friday, Nov. 5, and Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.

“After conducting the 2020 World Championships without fans in attendance, we are delighted to be able to safely welcome fans back to the Breeders' Cup World Championships this November,” said Breeders' Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming. “Fans will once again be invited to experience the unparalleled competition, fanfare and hospitality that have become synonymous with the Breeders' Cup as the world's most talented horses, jockeys, and trainers go head-to-head at beautiful Del Mar.”

The news comes after Del Mar Thoroughbred Club recently announced plans to conduct its 2021 summer race meet at 100 percent of seated capacity for fans throughout its facility in accordance with local state and county public health guidelines in Southern California.

As fans excitedly return to in-person sporting events, ticket demand for the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships is expected to be high. Interested fans are strongly encouraged to visit BreedersCup.com/tickets now in order to view available seating options and prepare for the July 16 on-sale date.

Seating options for the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships include:

Premium dining: Fans can take in the thrills of championship racing at historic Del Mar while enjoying an exquisite fine-dining experience from the Clubhouse, Stretch Run or Paddock dining areas. Two-day dining packages are available for purchase ranging from $775 to $1,875 per seat.
Box seating: Patrons in box seats can take advantage of dedicated cocktail service and menu options delivered directly to their seats in open-air, covered Clubhouse and Stretch Run Box seat locations. Box seating options include both single and two-day packages ranging from $375 to $975 per seat.
Reserved seating: Fans can experience the excitement of 14 World Championship races from these ideally-located, open-air, covered, stadium-style seats. Reserved Seating is available in both single and two-day packages that range from $100 to $475 per seat.
General admission tickets will not be sold at this time. However, Breeders' Cup is closely coordinating with local health officials and is hopeful to be in a position to offer general admission closer to the World Championships.

All tickets will be sold in advance of the event and are subject to the availability at the time of purchase. No tickets will be sold onsite on Nov. 5 or 6.

In addition, all parking on-site at Del Mar will be limited and only available to those with official pre-paid parking credentials. To help enhance the transportation experience at Del Mar, Breeders' Cup will offer a park-and-ride program with complimentary public shuttle service to the track from two designated off-site park-and-ride locations on both racing days. For more information on parking, please check back with BreedersCup.com when tickets go on sale in July.

Breeders' Cup has always placed the utmost importance on the health and safety of all who participate in the World Championships, including the dedicated fans who come from around the globe to witness world-class Thoroughbred racing. This year's event will be no different and Breeders' Cup will ensure appropriate measures are in place to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19. Breeders' Cup remains committed to following state and local guidelines, and will continue to monitor and comply with all public health mandates as conditions evolve and change. Additional details will be made available closer to the event.

The post Breeders’ Cup At Del Mar To Utilize 100 Percent Of Seated Capacity appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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‘Celebration Like No Other’: Saratoga To Open At 100 Percent Capacity

With 70 percent of adult New Yorkers now vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Tuesday announced the immediate removal of COVID-19 protocols and restrictions for nearly all activities and industries, including outdoor sports and entertainment venues. Accordingly, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will open all sections at Saratoga Race Course at 100 percent capacity.

The lifting of all COVID-19 protocols, including the requirement for fans to provide vaccination status, applies to all hospitality areas and venues within the facility, including the popular Saratoga backyard, 1863 Club and The Stretch. Season admission passes, which provide access to the backyard, will be available for purchase and use without the prior requirement that fans provide proof of vaccination status.

“As New Yorkers collectively reach this major milestone in the fight against COVID-19, NYRA thanks Governor Cuomo for his leadership in achieving this goal and for the opportunity to welcome fans back to Saratoga this summer,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O'Rourke. “This season will be a celebration like no other in Saratoga's long and storied history and we are thrilled to open the gates to the best fans in racing in just a few short weeks.”

As announced previously by Gov. Cuomo, all fans who show proof of vaccination via the New York State Excelsior Pass on Opening Day, Thursday, July 15, will receive free Grandstand general admission. Fans from outside New York State may redeem free admission by showing their Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.

NYRA encourages all fans who have been vaccinated in New York State to download the Excelsior Pass at https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/excelsior-pass.

Non-vaccinated individuals will be required to wear a facial covering during their day at Saratoga Race Course, in accordance with CDC guidance.

NYRA can also today announce the re-opening of the Whitney Viewing Stand at the Oklahoma Training Track. Beginning Saturday, June 26, members of the public will be welcome to view morning training from 7-10 a.m. Prior to the opening of the summer meet on July 15, the Whitney Viewing Stand will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 7-10 a.m. with access available via Gate 21 on East Avenue.

Licensed owners will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination when entering the Saratoga Race Course property. Beginning June 24, family members and guests will be permitted to accompany licensed owners to view morning training and visit the barn area.

At Belmont Park, the lifting of COVID-19 protocols will allow for the full re-opening of the facility to fans. Beginning Thursday, June 24, walk up general admission will be available for $5 and the backyard picnic tables will once again be available on a first come first served basis.

Season and weekly ticket plans for the 2021 season at Saratoga Race Course are currently on-sale at NYRA.com/Saratoga. Group hospitality reservations are also currently available via email at boxoffice@nyrainc.com or by phone at (844) NYRA-TIX. Tables in the Festival Tent may be reserved via Ticketmaster.com.

Single-day tickets will go on sale Wednesday, June 23 at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster.com.

Single-day dining reservations in the Turf Terrace, The Porch and Club Terrace will be accepted beginning Wednesday, June 30 at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster.com.

The 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will feature 76 stakes worth $21.5 million in total purses highlighted by the 152nd renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on August 28 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 7, as the anchors of two of the most prestigious racing days in North America.

Following the four-day opening weekend from Thursday, July 15 through Sunday, July 18, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, with the exception of the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.

For additional information, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.

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Former Arlington Park President Submits Bid To Purchase Track From Churchill Downs Inc.

The following statement was issued by Endeavor Properties LLC, whose president and CEO, Roy Arnold, served as president of Arlington Park from 2006-10.

Endeavor Properties LLC announced Tuesday that it submitted an offer, on behalf of a consortium, to purchase Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Ill., as part of a plan to continue Thoroughbred racing at the state's flagship track.

The purchaser consortium includes Endeavor and Sterling Bay, a prolific developer of office properties in downtown Chicago. It also includes Ocean Atlantic and GSP Development, as well as high net worth individuals.

Roy Arnold, president and CEO of Endeavor, noted that the group's plan to continue Thoroughbred horse racing at Arlington Park is consistent with the intent of the Illinois General Assembly as expressed by the Illinois Horse Racing Act and Public Act 101-31, the state's 2019 gaming expansion law. The existing track and grandstand would be retained.

The development plan also contemplates the construction of a mid-size arena suitable to host a minor league hockey team as an anchor tenant as part of a 60-acre four-season entertainment district, a low-density housing development with approximately 300 units, and a 60-acre industrial space.

“We are committed to close and continuous alignment with the community to ensure that this development enhances residents' quality of life, creates jobs and economic activity, and benefits the community while improving the tax base of the Village of Arlington Heights and the State of Illinois,” Arnold said.

Arnold said Endeavor, which submitted to Churchill Downs Inc. a letter of intent to purchase Arlington Park, will not comment on the specifics of the offer but that the group is confident that its plan to continue horse racing at Arlington Park is economically viable.

“We have the capital and the passion to make Thoroughbred racing work at Arlington Park,” Arnold said. “We look forward to continuing the legacy that is Arlington.”

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Report: Stronach Group Fielding Interest In Several Assets

Bloomberg reported Tuesday that the racing and media company the Stronach Group is “exploring options for parts of its portfolio after fielding interest from special purpose acquisition companies and other suitors,” according to unnamed sources.

No specific assets were listed to be under consideration.

The company's portfolio, estimated to be worth $1.5 billion, includes six racetracks in the U.S. (Santa Anita, Gulfstream, Pimlico, Laurel, Golden Gate, and Rosecroft Raceway), multiple training centers, wagering platform Xpressbet, tote company AmTote, a racetrack in Austria, and other real estate holdings. It also co-owns TrackNet Media, a horse racing content provider, with Churchill Downs.

Founded by Canadian Frank Stronach, the Stronach Group's racing and gaming businesses are now operated by his daughter Belinda Stronach following a public court battle, which ended last year.