Charles Town Releases Updated Stakes Schedule; $600,000 Classic Set For Aug. 28

Caught up Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races' two-month shutdown related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the track's marquee event – the Grade 2, Charles Town Classic originally slated for April 18 – has found a new temporary home for 2020 as the 1 1/8 mile test for older horses has been rescheduled for August 28 following approval by the West Virginia Racing Commission at its Friday morning meeting. The Charles Town Classic, will be one of seven stakes races on the Friday evening card which gets underway with a special first post of 5:00 P.M. EST.

When it takes to the gate in a little more than two months, The Charles Town Classic purse will represent a trend shared with many other stakes around the country as its purse will be cut to $600,000 for the 2020 edition.

In addition to the rescheduling of the headline event, the Charles Town Oaks (G3) will also be run on the same day as the Classic for the first time. The 7-furlong Charles Town Oaks will be contested for a purse of $200,000. The two graded events will be joined by three other unrestricted 7-furlong stakes in the form of the $150,000 Dance to Bristol for fillies and mares, the $100,000 Robert Hilton Memorial for three year-olds and the $100,000 Russell Road Stakes presented by Triple Crown Nutrition for horses three-years-old and upward. A pair of West Virginia accredited stakes – the $50,000 Robert G. Leavitt and $50,000 Sylvia Bishop Memorial – complete the stakes laden card.

While the Charles Town Oaks has been moved from its previously scheduled September 19 date and two other unrestricted stakes originally bound for the same day have been cancelled, a quartet of West Virginia-bred stakes will still remain on the card and serve as a springboard to the West Virginia Breeders' Classics held three weeks later on October 10.

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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.

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