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Churchill Downs has released details on Monday's post position draw for the April 30 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Tuesday's draw for the May 1 Kentucky Derby (G1).

The Post Position Draw for the 147^th running of the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) will be held Monday, April 26, at 11 a.m. ET in the Aristides Lounge on the second floor of Churchill Downs' Clubhouse.

The Post Position Draw for the 147^th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) will be held Tuesday, April 27, at 11 a.m. ET in the same location.

Due to physical distancing protocols and other safety measures in place, only owners and trainers and select broadcast media will be permitted inside the Aristides Lounge for both the Oaks and Derby draws.

The Oaks and Derby post position draws are traditional “pill pull” events in which horses' entry blanks are pulled simultaneously with a numbered pill to determine what stall a horse will break from the starting gate.

Preference to the nation's premier race for 3-year-old fillies is given to the top point-earners on the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks.” Up to 18 horses may enter the 1 1/8-mile race and four horses can be listed as “also eligible” and would be ranked in order accordingly; they could draw into the field should any horse(s) be scratched before scratch time on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 9 a.m. ET.

Preference to America's greatest race is given to the top point-earners on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby.” Up to 24 three-year-olds may enter the 1 ¼-mile race and four horses can be listed as “also eligible” and would be ranked in order accordingly; they could draw into the field should any horse(s) be scratched before scratch time on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 9 a.m. ET.

Track announcer Travis Stone will host the draw, with Vice President of Racing Ben Huffman and Assistant Racing Secretary Dan Bork pulling the pills and entry slips. Kentucky Horse Racing Commission chief steward Barbara Borden will oversee the proceedings.

The Kentucky Oaks Post Position Draw will be streamed live on www.KentuckyDerby.com.

The Kentucky Derby Post Position Draw will be streamed live on www.KentuckyDerby.com from 10:45-11:45 a.m. and televised live by FS2 nationally from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET. NBC affiliate WAVE-3 in Louisville also will broadcast the draw as will other outlets.

Veteran Churchill Downs odds maker Mike Battaglia will not be present for the Oaks or Derby post position draws. This year will mark the 48^th time that Battaglia has made the Oaks and Derby morning line odds.

The post Oaks Post Draw Monday At 11 A.M. ; Derby Draw Same Time Tuesday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Kurt Becker, the only track announcer in Keeneland's history, tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to miss Saturday's final day of the Lexington, Ky., track's fall meeting.

A statement from Keeneland said Becker, who ended the “silent era” by becoming Keeneland's first race caller in 1997, is “experiencing only mild symptoms and he is resting at home.”

Keeneland did not indicate what day Becker was tested. The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department protocol in other cases with mild symptoms required a minimum 10 days in isolation following a positive test. Unless his condition worsens, that would free Becker from isolation in time to provide the on-track call of the Nov. 6-7 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland.

The statement from Keeneland said: “In adherence to Keeneland's Healthy at Work protocols, track announcer Kurt Becker will miss closing day of the Fall Meet as he has tested positive for COVID-19.

“Kurt is experiencing only mild symptoms and he is resting at home. We look forward to his speedy recovery and to welcoming him back for the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland on Nov. 6-7.”

The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that two other unnamed individuals working at Keeneland tested positive this week, one a year-round employee and the other seasonal.

Travis Stone, track announcer at Churchill Downs, filled in for Becker on Saturday's closing-day card. Churchill Downs begins its fall meet on Sunday.

The post Keeneland Announcer Becker Sidelined With COVID-19 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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