Tracks (and sales) starting to close and now re-opening - COVID-19

[Where_sMyWhite]

Progress in the US.

KY Gov Andy Beshear has authorized the return of spectator-less racing at Churchill Downs as part of the first phase of business re-opening starting May 11.

Horses may start stabling on the backstretch on the 11th. No horses were allowed to ship in prior to the business shut down.

Initial racing will be spectator less. No actual opening date has yet been determined. Racing will be Thurs-Sun. No condition book or revised stakes schedule has been done yet.

Phased and systematic return of horses and personnel.

Horses stabled at Fair Grounds may ship in May 11-13.
Horses stabled at Gulfstream, Tampa Bay and Florida training centers may ship in May 14-16.
Horses stabled at Oaklawn Park may arrive May 17-19.
Starting May 20 horses from other locales can ship in.

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac…ng-in-kentucky

[JohannaStk]

So nice to see tracks open up again! When it comes to harness racing, I have been to Solvalla once. I have actually driven around the track once too in school. It was really cool, they had a tandem sulky with the instructor behind you.

[mht]

We have been stabled at Woodbine, and in full training, since the middle of March. Opening Day was to have been April 18. In one of his updates, yesterday, CEO Jim Lawson gave us some hope that actual racing may be able to resume in six weeks or so. Might be without spectators, but if it gets us going, so be it. They better allow owners, though.

[Where_sMyWhite]

Santa Anita is supposed to release a condition book today with a possible resumption of racing beginning May 15 if the LA Count Safer At Home order is lifted.

Horses have been stabled on the backside throughout; just no racing.

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/239894/santa-anita-issues-letter-regarding-possible-racing

I’m personally not ready to jump into a ‘new’ normal that looks like the old normal but looking forward to things like sporting events taking place live, albeit spectator-less.

:encouragement:

[JohannaStk]

It is sad to see tracks empty but it is better than no racing.

[Where_sMyWhite]

@JohannaStk

It is sad to see tracks empty but it is better than no racing.

I agree, watching the saddling paddocks and winner’s circle activity from the tracks that are racing is hard as just not many people.

I agree completely, better empty than no racing at all regardless of where someone is or what type of racing interests them!

[Where_sMyWhite]

Churchill Downs to start racing sans spectators May 16… whoot-whoot!

@JohannaStk A late thank you explaining what type of horses you see in the trotting races. I don’t usually look at where the track is located but yes, I’ve noticed some of the horses racing are definitely on the stocky side and some with the best feathers

[JohannaStk]

@Where'sMyWhite

Churchill Downs to start racing sans spectators May 16… whoot-whoot!

@JohannaStk A late thank you explaining what type of horses you see in the trotting races. I don’t usually look at where the track is located but yes, I’ve noticed some of the horses racing are definitely on the stocky side and some with the best feathers

They are stockier and I actually prefer them, difficult not to fall in loves with their long manes and apperance. Järvsöfaks was one of the best ever, still alive at 26

[Where_sMyWhite]

@JohannaStk This morning (well, afternoon/evening your time), caught a race at Harstad (IIRC) with a yummy looking dark cream colored horse with dark points. Would have taken him home in a minute

Of course… he first horse to break and I believe exceeded the 100m (?) rule so was DQd.

It also looks like other differences are track surface (which I think I mentioned earlier) and distance. I believe that all our harness races are 1 mile.

Some of those tracks must be what we would call a bull ring (small ) as the horses are going 2 - 2 1/2 times around.

[JohannaStk]

Most tracks are 1000m, a few are longer or shorter. Norway have a lot of coldblooded trotters running. Most races are 1640, 2140 or 2650m if I remember it right. It is nice to see Scandinavia running races again

[Countrygirl18]

Today would have been Derby day. It’s so weird to have the first Saturday in May without it!

[JohannaStk]

Denmark have decided to cancel races again…

[Where_sMyWhite]

@Countrygirl18

Today would have been Derby day. It’s so weird to have the first Saturday in May without it!

It was Derby day, just not the Kentucky Derby. The Arkansas Derby had some good racing in it. True, only, IIRC 6 horses that had KD points but still some good horse racing

@JohannaStk sorry to hear about Denmark. Our cable TV (TVG) has been showing many races from Sweden in the mornings. Learning more about your horses, particularly the harness/trotters (how would you refer to them?) and the different types of ‘trotting’ races… with bikes/sulkies, monte, rolling gate start, “loose” starts (not sure what you call them).

It’s been fun and interesting to watch!

[JohannaStk]

I think trotting races can be pretty boring sometimes haha, usually only watch Elitloppet. The races are going well here and everyone is respectful.

Denmark is hoping to start racing after May 10th when the max 10 people at one place might be lifted, I think to 50. Let me say though, it is Demark haha.

Sweden is going around the max 50 people at one place by classing racetracks as a workplace. With no owners or spectators there everyone is working.

[JohannaStk]

And now Denmark have decided to allow racing at least today, decide please. Can’t be easy for trainers and jockeys.

[LaurieB]

The first condition book for the Churchill Downs meet is out and horses should start to arrive on the backstretch a week from today. So we’re beginning to move forward. :yes:

[JohannaStk]

And now Danish police went in and stopped racing in Ã…lborg after giving an ok to run the day. It would be nice if they could decide to run or not. Especially with the Danish 1000 guineas on Saturday.

[Where_sMyWhite]

@JohannaStk that must have been scary and frustrating for those in Denmark.

[Brigid]

This is all heart-breaking to me.
I was just released from rehab (complicated surgery) when facility rehab/nursing home I was in went into lock-down.
In fact, I was still there when lockdown happened. Left next day. Things are so depressing right now: I hurt for all affected by this virus

[JohannaStk]

Looks like it was some kind of misunderstanding, racing worked great for at least one week. I prefer being at the racetrack rather than a grocery store. Most tracks are pretty big and you can easily have a distance to others.