Fair Grounds closing after the completion of today’s card.
TVG… Caton Bredar and Joaquin Jaime are broadcasting from home. They’ve both had TV shots 
Caton on the balcony with Gulfstream Park in the background (she lives in So Florida). Joaquin from his guest bedroom in LA.
Christina Blacker is on the phone from home near SA.
Todd Schrupp is on-site at SA.
:encouragement:
2020 Dubai World Cup card cancelled.
Some US horses were already on-site and now unclear when they’ll be able to return home.
I am in the market for a slow one to restart in a new career and was ripped a new one by a 3rd party advertiser/reseller for wanting a basic PPE (a physical and flexions/palpations) from any vet, even the track vet. Saying that everyone is too busy on the backside at the moment and if I asked for that I’d get kicked out.
Well gee, sorry for trying to reduce their feedbill by a mouth. If I can’t get back there to look at her, you can’t get me better video, and I can’t have a vet look at her?
No thanks.
I understand times are trying, but with the market about to hit rock bottom for horses that sold for nothing to start with, sellers and third party listers should consider being ever so slightly more accommodating when they find a person willing to take on a failed horse straight from the track.
This horse was at Turfway, fwiw.
PS: Legally the horse was going to need a health certificate anyways, to cross state borders…
No kidding, I am really worried for all the TBs who will need a soft landing soon. I could have room for another horse but my last OTTB purchase was a miserable failure despite buying from a reputable reseller so I’m a little gun-shy. Maybe I will donate to New Vocations or something like that instead…
I’m not sure I understand. The horse is currently at Turfway, but it’s being marketed by a third party somewhere else? Why not try contacting the trainer directly? He or she may be more accommodating if they really want to move the horse.
Fwiw, all the racehorse owners I know are adjusting to the new normal (sometimes grudgingly–just like in real life) but none of them are looking to dump their horses.
Actually I don’t understand why that idea keeps coming up. Are hunter/jumper riders and eventers dumping their horses because shows and events are on hold? Maybe that’s happening and I’m just unaware of it? 
I dont know the trainer. This third party “lister” is quite well known, PM me for their name.
No one is dumping horses because they cant compete. They’re going to want to reduce their feed bill asap if financial security isnt apparent. Some people arent getting a paycheck at all. Others have lost 1/3 or more of their invested retirement accounts. Without races, horses are eating without an opportunity to put money back in the bank. It makes sense to get rid of the slow ones.
Give all the members of The Horsey Set time to see what the economy is going to look like for the next bit. If the real- and financial virus both prove hard to contain, we are all going to be in for a long, fugly ride. This isn’t about the next quarter of Horsing being canceled.
Hmm well this is where I got the idea that race owners/trainers are looking to rehome. New Vocations has reduced a lot of prices and is even offering shipping credits due to Covid-19 because, “with the current uncertainty at many racetracks and training centers, we’re hoping to eliminate barriers to help find perfect homes for our current residents so we can continue serving those in need of transitional training.”
@Jleegriffith posted this on Facebook almost a week ago: “Really want to buy a horse but I’m worried none of mine will sell in the current state of affairs. I have tons of trainers calling to ask me to buy (tracks closed and $$ absolutely dries up) but I’m already full here with nine sale horses. That’s a lot to carry if sales completely stop. I realize this is a total ridiculous first world problem but trying to decide what to do is tough. Trainers need us to buy horses to keep them financially afloat. We have to move ours to have room.”
Those are people much more knowledgeable and experienced than me who are concerned about this or are already seeing it happening. I didn’t pull the idea out of thin air.
Charles Town Races suspending live programs
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/239261/charles-town-races-suspends-live-programs
Ireland racing is suspended until April 19.
Jockey Javier Castellano has tested positive for Covid-19. He last rode at Gulfstream Park on March 15th.
Saw this 
IIRC he had 4 mounts on Gulfstream Park’s Saturday card.
IIRC from TVG that Gulfstream has announced a mandatory payout on their Rainbow Six (I think it’s called) on Saturday. Wherever I heard/saw this thought that mandatory payout may be because GP will close after Saturday’s card. Who know’s if that is true or not (here I am, rumor mongering :rolleyes: ).
Found it… https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/239291/tiz-the-law-tops-full-field-in-florida-derby
What Gulfstream did announce Wednesday was a payout of its Rainbow Pick 6 pool Saturday, leading to speculation that racing may be shut down beginning with the March 29 card.
I feel for TVG… they’re showing live racing from Fonner Park in NE as there isn’t much else racing.
A few tracks down under in the evenings.
Harness racing in Sweden (I t think it is, some mornings).
The Horse: COVID-19 Places Stress on Thoroughbred Industry, Aftercare
“COVID-19 is hitting the Thoroughbred industry hard. The effects of auction and race meet cancellations, while unintended, are far-reaching for horsemen and the animals who fall under their care. One of the most concerning trends we are seeing is an uptick in the number of horses retiring from racing earlier than anticipated and in need of rehoming now. We expect to see significantly more in the coming weeks.”
Article here: https://thehorse.com/186429/covid-19-places-stress-on-thoroughbred-industry-aftercare/
Santa Anita temporarily closed today by order of the LA County Health Department (just shortly before the card was to start today).
No known cases of COVID-19 known at this time.
SA had already been practicing stringent protocols with respect to safety of the backstretch workers and during the racing card. Estimated 1,700 horses and 750 workers on the backstretch. As Todd Schrup from TVG noted, the SA backstretch is already a fairly closed community as many of the workers already ‘work from home’ as they live on the backstretch.
Sounds like some feel this closure missed the mark and was made by people who don’t necessarily understand the backstretch environment. Fewer people in contact with each other during an afternoon race card than in the morning during the care, exercise and maintenance of the horses.
SA has limited facilities in which to release horses to if the backstretch has to be vacated.
At this time, Golden Gate Fields remains open.
Fingers crossed… Tampa Bay Downs has gotten their first race off today.
Gulfstream Park is 10 MTP for Race 1.
Racing today at Oaklawn and Golden Gate Fields as well.
A bit ironic I thought in yesterday’s Appleton Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park was won by a horse named Social Paranoia. Nice race and I will confess, a bit of a smile on my face as Social Paranoia took the lead and held on for the win. :encouragement:
Thoroughbred Owners of CA, TSG and CA Thoroughbred Trainers are working together to get racing back up and going at Santa Anita.
TOC has asked the Health Dept to send inspectors to the track to witness firsthand the safety and precautions in place.
Part of the argument is by keeping racing going, it keeps the track ecosystem going and keeps 1000+ backstretch workers employed.
Got my fingers crossed they will be successful. TSG also owns Golden Gate Fields where the same precautions are in place and where racing is continuing.
IMO a bit of encouraging news. British Racing is talking about restarting racing May 1 (just after the end of the British Horseracing Authority’s self-imposed shutdown though the end of April.)
A slight change in the racing model with ‘regional’ racing… south, midlands, north hosting sustained racing over up to a week. A goal is the planned reduction of movement for participants. The focus is on racecourses with on-site hotels where jocks, stable staff and officials can stay. Horses shipped in for the day.
Sounds like still much to be worked out as this different than how British racing usually is run… racing over a course for a day or two and then moving on to a different course.
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