Ironically, with all of the cancellations, horse racing is being left as the only gambling game in town. Santa Anita just hosted 2 8- race cards over the weekend with over $6 million bet each day. Not great but not a disaster either. Anyone who tuned into TVG saw a distinct “let’s educate the newbies” flavor to the broadcast–and there is nothing wrong with that.
2 Likes
OMG, Keeneland just cancelled their entire spring meet.
The Grand National meeting have been cancelled.
:eek: KD postponed until September 
At this point with all the different events, activities, and other public gatherings and the rate at which COVID-19 appears to ‘spread’ thinking not a bad idea.
I do feel bad for owners/trainers/connections of 3YOs who were on the Derby/Oaks/TC trail and are now looking at owing pricy, talented colts and fillies with a bit of an uncertain future.
NASCAR has postponed all race events through May 3 :eek:
At this point, I was fortunate enough to attend the last race before the postponement.
Wow, this is really going to impact breeders and everyone in the horse racing industry. I had not given thought to all the yearling sales that won’t go on, maybe they can do some kind of virtual sales and keep it on the internet. Of course hopefully the horse shipping industry will keep running. What a mess. I hope there aren’t a lot of TB’s dumped on the market, horse sales might decline for a while depending. Won’t be the same seeing the KD in September.
It’s official… 146th KD moved to September 5th.
Preakness and Belmont still TBD.
All racing in France cancelled until April 15.
Britain racing cancelled until the end of April.
We, as owners, have been temporarily banned from the backstretch at Woodbine.
I believe that’s what they’re doing at most of the Ontario tracks. Makes sense though it will be disapointing for some owners.
I’m sure that will be coming to the U.S. too. Personally, I think it’s very wrong, especially since most of the “temporary” measures we keep hearing about will probably be in effect for months.
I am also concerned about the affect that the staff of those barns that go south for the winter will have when they start returning. Pretty sure they are not going to put themselves in the 14 day self quarantine that they are supposed to do. And a lot of Canada’s cases of CV-19 have been shown to have come from people returning from the States.
If one person tests positive, we are all screwed.
Thought I overheard on TVG that some of the jocks perhaps heading to Dubai will no longer go as they might face a 14 day quarantine upon their return to the States.
Unforeseen bedfellows… NBCSN has announced a partnership with TVG to broadcast TVGs Weekend Broadcast (Trackside Live 3/21-22 4-8pm ET) on NBCSN to fill the void left by all the sporting events cancellations. Also planned for NBCSN coverage is TVG’s Trackside Live 3/27-29 4-8pm ET).
This should cover this weekend’s Louisiana Derby (G2) and next weekend’s Florida Derby (G1). The points earned will continue to be applied to the KD to be run 9/5.
Equivalent “partnership” with NYRA and Fox Sports. NYRA’s “America’s Day at the Races” will offer expanded coverage for 3/20-22. Live racing from Aqueduct, Oaklawn Park and Tampa Bay Downs.
Fox Sports is kinda in the same boat as NBCSN; sports only coverage only now in many cases, no sports to cover.
The NYRA just shut down live racing in New York after a backstretch worker tested positive at Belmont.
Just saw this 
Right thing to do but man…
All tracks in NJ are closed until further notice. Eviction notices given to horsemen in Pompano. In Canada - Hastings, Fraser,Flamboro, Mohawk. Century Downs amongst the bigger tracks.
Gulfstream talking a one day hiatus, resulting racing tomorrow after “updating protocols”, including the jockeys’ room.
Jockeys are now also choosing to stop riding; Irad Ortiz Jr and Rajiv MMaragh. Both based at Gulfstream but Irad was scheduled to ride for Pletcher in the Louisiana Derby (G2) tomorrow on Portos.
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/239201/oaklawn-park-moves-arkansas-derby-to-may-2
Oaklawn Park moving the Arkansas Derby (G1) from April 11 to May 2, closing day of the live meet. Purse has been reduced to $750,000 (minimum to stay eligible for KD points). Overall purse reductions made to keep Oaklawn racing until the schedule meet ending.
I wasn’t far off on TVG using finger puppets.
Brittney Eurton is in self quarantine after interviewing Sean Payton, head coach of the NO Saints, who later tested positive for COVID-19.
Yesterday and today TVG is on-air-less (so far) with any of their on-air personalities. Caton Bredar is supposed to be at Fair Grounds so we’ll see. None of their personalities cover an entire card so if Caton is at Fair Grounds, won’t hear from her for a while longer in any case.
Yesterday, TVG was track feed only so music between races.
Today so far, Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream and Fair Grounds appear to be spectator-less racing.
Yesterday Santa Anita, Golden Gate Fields and Los Al were racing.
This morning, NBCSN is not going to be covering TVG’s Trackside Live as originally planned Now they’re going to be broadcasting Monster Truck Jam stuff
Fair Grounds cancelling the last week of the meet effective today at the end of the Louisiana Derby race.
Oaklawn Park has said jockeys riding at Fair Grounds will not be allowed to ride at Oaklawn for the remainder of the meet. Talamo, who was in the winner’s circle with Serengeti Empress, winner of the Azeri Stakes, was standing next to Sean Payton who presented the trophy. Tom Amoss was the trainer of Serengeti Empress and has self-quarantined as had Britney Eurton. Oaklawn has allowed Talamo to continue to ride despite Sean Payton testing positive but currently asympotomatic. :rolleyes:
Santa Anita and Golden Gate will continuing racing through at least the weekend. Outside horses must ship into an existing trainer’s barn. No new outside personnel allowed.
SA said that all profits from the weekend’s racing would go to a charity or charities providing coronavirus relief. :encouragement:
