Racing has been suspended in New York since Aqueduct was shut down on March 19 following the first positive test of a backstretch worker. Last week, the New York Racing Association announced the remainder of the Aqueduct winter meet and the spring meet, which was scheduled to run through April 19, was cancelled.
According to the NYTHA, Zapata, who lived and worked at Belmont Park, tested positive for COVID-19 on March 24 and was subsequently hospitalized on March 26 until he died.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to those closest to Martin at this difficult time,” said Humberto Chavez, who heads the New York division of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America. “The racetrack community here in New York is one big family and it is in times like these that we must reach out and support one another.”
Applebaum said "a celebration of life will be held in his honor once restrictions on social gatherings are removed."
New York had reported 5,489 deaths from COVID-19 as of Tuesday, by far the most of any state.
A stable worker at Belmont Park has died from COVID-19, trainer Tom Morley shared on social media Tuesday, after his employee Martin Zapata succumbed to the virus.
The Blood-Horse reports the 63-year-old Zapata was one of 20 backstretch workers at Belmont Park to have tested positive for coronavirus as of Monday. A native of Panama, Zapata, who worked two years for Morley, had been hospitalized off site for treatment since March 26.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our community," said Joe Applebaum, president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association. "Martin was a well-regarded horseman who always demonstrated great care and joy in his work. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends."
