US RACING: Horse racing to resume at West Virginia track without fans
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Live horse racing is back on without the fans at a West Virginia track a few days after the facility was shut down due to the new coronavirus. Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races announced Thursday that horse racing would resume Friday night, The Journal reported. But the track's grandstands, […]
US RACING: Santa Anita gives all profit from Friday (March 20) race meet to assist COVID-19 pandemic effort
There was doubt heading into Friday (that California’s active Thoroughbred tracks, Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields, would continue to race given a “stay at home order” handed down by Gov. Gavin Newsom. First post arrived, however, and the races continued at both tracks operated by The Stronach Group, which has allowed only essential […]
US RACING: Gulfstream Park puts COVID-19 protocols in place – no racing today (March 20) – returns tomorrow (March 21)
After multiple jockeys, including Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz Jr., announced intentions not to ride at Gulfstream Park amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the track announced it will take Friday off from racing before returning Saturday under increased safety protocols. A track news release reads as follows: At Gulfstream Park, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows, […]
UK RACING – Aidan O’Brien skips Dubai World Cup
Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien has decided not to take his contenders to Meydan for the lucrative March 28 Dubai World Cup night card. Europe's Racing Post reported Thursday that O'Brien cited "concerns over international travel" amid the coronavirus pandemic. O'Brien had a number of well-known contenders listed among likely contenders on the $35 million program: Magic Wandand Circus Maximus […]
US RACING: Jamaica’s Rajiv Maragh takes a break from the saddle, so too Irad Ortiz Jnr
Jockey Rajiv Maragh also took to Twitter to announce that he will no longer be race riding, effective immediately, "for the best chance of staying healthy for myself and family." While Maragh did not specifically mention the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, he said the hiatus will last "until things are in better order," hinting at the […]
British racing braces for coronavirus fallout
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) - British horse racing is preparing itself for tough times ahead after the coronavirus pandemic shuttered racecourses, putting jobs at risk and leaving the industry in limbo. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced on Tuesday the sport would be suspended until the end of April. Racing has faced severe crises before, […]
US RACING: Jason Servis, Jorge Navarro to plead not guilty to doping charges
Jason Servis and Jorge Navarro, the top names in federal indictments unsealed last week tying the trainers into a doping scheme, will plead not guilty on their charges when they appear in a New York court on Monday. That's according to an Asbury Park Press investigation published Tuesday by reporter Stephen Edelson, who detailed that 12 […]
US RACING: Aqueduct is down after backstretch staff tests positive for coronavirus
The New York Racing Association announced Thursday that live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack will be suspended until further notice due to changing circumstances in the racing community relative to the coronavirus pandemic. A backstretch worker who lives and works at Belmont Park tested positive Thursday morning for the coronavirus. Following NYRA's Preparedness and Response Plan, the worker has […]
Australian racing goes on amid pandemic
SYDNEY (AP) — It's arguably more popular in Australia than any other country, so it's no surprise that horse racing is continuing — minus the spectators — despite the increasing travel and other restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic. The multi-billion-dollar racing industry employs 250,000 part- and full-time workers in Australia, where there are more than […]
US RACING: Jason Servis, Jorge Navarro to plead not guilty to doping charges
Jason Servis and Jorge Navarro, the top names in federal indictments unsealed last week tying the trainers into a doping scheme, will plead not guilty on their charges when they appear in a New York court on Monday. That's according to an Asbury Park Press investigation published Tuesday by reporter Stephen Edelson, who detailed that 12 […]