Racing Restrictions / Coronavirus [Archive] - Pace and Cap

View Full Version : Racing Restrictions / Coronavirus

Ted Craven

03-13-2020, 08:31 AM

Here is an article summarizing new restrictions on live attendance at racing around the US and the world. Many major tracks continue racing but without live attendance, i.e. watching and betting only online, the way most of us do it anyway.

https://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/coronavirus-stronach-group-closes-santa-anita-golden-gate-to-public-racing-to-continue/

Santa Anita, Golden Gate, Gulfstream, Aqueduct/NYRA, Keenland, Laurel, Turfway, Oaklawn, Fairmount, Sam Houston, Dubai - all open for racing but closed to live spectators. Surely most tracks will be added to this list as Spring racing comes on. Hong Kong has been running with no live attendance for nearly 2 months now.

I'm sure betting handle will be down noticeably. Hard to call whether the money in the pools will be 'smarter' or 'dumber' because of this.

Regarding our own annual gathering in Saratoga - Charlie B (gandalf) reminds me that tickets go on sale mid April, but who knows what world we'll be living in by then; it was a very different one just 2 weeks ago :eek:

Thus - as far as I can see, it's also entirely too early to make ANY kind of plan for the Summer at Saratoga. We just have to watch and wait.

And do our best to stay safe, stay isolated if we feel sick, have compassion for our friends and neighbours - and strangers - for the totally unexpected and often unfortunate circumstances they suddenly find themselves in.

Ted

Ted Craven

03-13-2020, 08:53 AM

As an example of totally unexpected circumstances: I'm the Azores Islands (Portugal) for a vacation this week. They're 1000 miles out into the Atlantic from mainland Europe but just closed the islands to all new arrivals (via imposing a 14 day quarantine to new arrivals - hence cancelling tourism).

Consequently, overnight yesterday, many restaurants and all businesses dependent on lively tourism here will now have to close, throwing thousands in a smallish population out of their regular work for unknown months. A restaurant owner last night was in tears over having to lay off his staff and close his doors. We basically 'turned out the lights' as we left ... Heart wrenching, and I know this repeats itself all over the world right now, and even more seriously as some people get sick and must work or quarantine at home, let alone on paradisaical islands.

Hence compassion ...

Ted

Hoping for no problems returning home to Canada on Saturday :eek:

coacht

03-13-2020, 11:20 AM

Ted,

Sorry to hear about your vacation

You and your wife stay safe.

Gene

Lt1

03-13-2020, 11:50 AM

PARX has suspended racing for at least 2 weeks starting Sat
Tim

Mitch44

03-13-2020, 12:06 PM

There is no doubt this will hurt the handle. That's a Daily Double crisis's for racing at the same time, along with this cheatings by trainers.Lets hope we haven't been dealt 3 of a kind or on the receiving end of a TRI.

What gets me is their leaving the casino's open. Slots have more close proximity of people and germs than most tracks. Plus many tracks have many more open spaces, especially Sar that's mainly has seating outside or under roofing but open air all around. Seems like a drastic first step anyway as a casino is like a petri dish compared to a track.

Mitch44

Lt1

03-13-2020, 02:27 PM

Interesting events are taking place at Parx. The horsemen are saying if the casino stays open they will try to force management to allow racing most likely without fans. Can't see how they can cancel racing and let the casino remain open. As Spock would say that is illogical Captain. Stay tuned.
Tim

Mitch44

03-13-2020, 04:41 PM

It seems illogical to me also.

I wasn't expecting Parx's response however it makes some sense, especially about the fans this time of the year. There are other precautions they could also take.

I mean the real reason for their decision is the casino makes more money, the hell with the public when it comes to money. Logically they should have closed the casino. Follow the $$$$

Mitch44

Lt1

03-13-2020, 05:04 PM

Amen about the dollars but they can't logically explain closing the track which has less crowding and more space between customers and then leave the casino opened and say closing the track was for safety purposes.
Tim

carl153

03-14-2020, 01:09 AM

info on the corona virus (clif high and bix weir)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoDx5QdSdrY

carl

MikeB

03-14-2020, 04:42 PM

Turf Paradise just canceled the rest of its season which usually runs from mid-October to the first week-end of May.

Swifty0x0

03-16-2020, 01:19 PM

The panic is unwarranted, and as usual the Media is blowing the Corona Virus out of proportion and the biggest instigator of the panic!

Consider this - there's 71 deaths reported in the USA so far, but already there are more than 10,000 deaths from this season's FLU! AND, it's easier to catch the FLU than the Corona Virus! AND, the USA alone has thousands of deaths from the FLU EVERY year (61,000 people died in the 2017-2018 FLU season, out of 45 million infected)! The H1N1 strain of FLU appeared in 2009, and caused hundreds of thousands of deaths.

Do we shut everything down because of the FLU?

Ted Craven

03-16-2020, 05:05 PM

Ted Craven

03-16-2020, 05:08 PM

Back to the main topic of this thread:

Keeneland Spring season canceled: https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Coronavirus_Keeneland_calls_off_spring_meet_on_CDC_guidance_123

Sorry Mick :(

Ted

Mitch44

03-16-2020, 05:37 PM

OP is closing its casino and keeping their racetrack open, state of Ky. doing the same.

For sure a more logical decision and perhaps Parx better rethink its decision. Hey if they can't operate and make it on racing they need to implement some cost saving changes.

Mitch44

mick

03-16-2020, 05:58 PM

...

Keeneland Spring season canceled: https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Coronavirus_Keeneland_calls_off_spring_meet_on_CDC_guidance_123

Sorry Mick :(

Ted



Indeed, my friend. The Tazbo, Dr. Z and I would have been there, too. This is a first in my lifetime, but I understand why.

This link is from my friend Dr. Charlie Judge, M.D., of "Track Judge Reports." Just check the countries you're interested in and it will show you whether the number of new cases has leveled off (e.g. China, South Korea) or is still climbing (e.g. Italy, Norway, U.S.) or is declining (haven't found one of those yet).

https://bibbase.org/other/covid-19?countries=Norway,South_Korea,China_(all),Italy&log=1

Swifty0x0

03-16-2020, 07:20 PM

No point retyping: http://paceandcap.com/forums/showpost.php?p=126068&postcount=23

With respect Swifty, I think you are mistaken about how serious this is.

Ted

Hi Ted,

I still think it's too soon to start shutting things down. I wouldn't try to calculate mortality rates yet. Even the CDC admits many infected people only get a head cold or a mild case of the flu and recover just fine without needing special care, hence they aren't counted as having been infected. Until a more accurate number of infected is in we can't know for sure what the mortality rate is.

I would also urge to make plans for Saratoga 2020 as normal because it's always easier to cancel if things do get bad, than it is to make plans at a later point and risk the bookings not being available then.

Mitch44

03-17-2020, 08:44 AM

I agree Swifity0X0.

Mitch44

gandalf380

03-17-2020, 10:05 AM

A couple of problems with that idea about Saratoga. First, you have to put the money up front for the tables and they traditionally do no refunds. Second, with the moving of the Kentucky Derby we have no idea what the Saratoga meeting will look like. The Travers will certainly have to be moved which will cause the Jim Dandy to be moved. We traditionally go on Alabama weekend but who knows when that will be. Once the schedule is released then we can make a decision as to exactly what weekend we will meet. Should we stick with the original weekend regardless of what races are run or do we try to stick with a big stakes. Too early to decide. Patience, everything will work itself out.

Mitch44

03-17-2020, 10:56 AM

I think the get together isn't about any one race, its about the group. Sar has great racing and every card has a good class race.

People make plans well in advance, especially if still working. I say pick some dates and see which will get the most attendance.

Mitch44

Ted Craven

03-17-2020, 11:14 AM

I think a more focused question is: who volunteers to pay in advance about $1100 to buy the tickets for the tables, potentially non-refundable.

I paid that last year for the tables we reserved and recouped much of it from attendees. Right now, I'm not willing to do that given the uncertainty.

But - if everything is back to normal, I vote for the same date as always, the weekend of Alabama Stakes August 22. Maybe we'll get lucky this year and get the Travers Stakes instead on that weekend!

Ted

mick

03-17-2020, 06:02 PM

I watched SkyNews International this afternoon and they covered the UK Prime Minister's news conference about the country's financial stimulus plan. So far, there have been 71 deaths from COVID-19 in the UK. The Health Minister was with the Prime Minister and said that their best case "target" was 20,000 deaths. The PM, Boris Johnson, didn't bat an eye either.

With city and provincial lockdowns, business and school closures and the like, governments are merely buying time to develop a vaccine. That's the only real solution and best estimates are that may be a year away. When the lockdowns are eased and businesses and schools reopened before a vaccine is developed, tested, manufactured and distributed, those who weren't exposed to the virus already will be exposed and without that vaccine, they will be vulnerable. Because you can't shut down a country for a year, the result will be another wave or two or three of new cases.

So, COVID-19 isn't going away until we have a vaccine. That's what public health officials have understood all along. Some politicians have tried to silence them until after the election, but a few have had the courage to speak out.

Personally, I'm not making any travel plans until next year.

CheckMark

03-18-2020, 06:32 AM

Keeneland has cancelled the 2020 Spring Meet :eek:

tom

03-18-2020, 09:52 PM

mick

03-19-2020, 09:47 AM

Some good news - TVG and NBC and FOX have agreed to cover racing together.
This weekend, FS1 will have America's Day at the Races from 1:30pm-6:30pm while NBCSN will have TVG shows airing late afternoon.
Some regular NBC earlier afternoon are TBD so may be some racing there?

At least we will have lots of options for whatever is running. :D

That is some good news, Tom. With everything else canceled or postponed, horse racing is all there, having watched all the Andy Griffith show reruns. :cool:

Ted Craven

03-19-2020, 04:52 PM

As of 4:30pm ET today, here is the list of open and closed tracks:

Thoroughbred - Racing with no public attendance
Fairgrounds
Golden Gate
Gulfstream
Laurel Park
Mahoning Valley
Oaklawn
Remington Park (Quarterhorse)
Sam Houston
Santa Anita
Tampa Bay Downs
Turfway Park

Thoroughbred - Closed/Canceled
Aqueduct
Charles Town
Fairmount Park
Keeneland
Parx Racing
Penn National
Sunland
Turf Paradise

Standardbred - Racing with no public attendance
Cal Expo
Flamboro
Miami Valley
Northfield
Rideau Carleton
Rosecroft
Saratoga
Western Fair

Standardbred - Closed until further notice
Buffalo
Century Downs
Dover Downs
Fraser Downs
Freehold
Hawthorne
Meadowlands
Monticello
Mohawk/Woodbine
Pocono Downs at Mohegan Sun
Pompano
The Meadows
Yonkers

The Pook

03-19-2020, 10:36 PM

Horse racing has a little silver lining going on with this virus problem. An excerpt from an article in the NY Times today:

“While social distancing has become regular practice in so many parts of American life, many fans have stuck with one of the few live sports still happening, even remotely.
More than $17.5 million was bet on races at Aqueduct from Friday through Sunday, according the to association. TVG, which broadcasts races from more than 150 tracks across the world, saw a 75 percent increase in wagering on its betting platform on Saturday and Sunday, compared with the same two days in 2019.
The FanDuel Racing app was downloaded more over the weekend than it had been in the previous three months, reaching the No. 6 most-downloaded on Apple’s list of free sports apps, according to TVG. The app was designed for first-time horse-racing bettors in anticipation of the Triple Crown races.
“We didn’t think it would take off under these circumstances,” said Kip Levin, the chief executive officer of TVG. “As you can tell, people were looking for a distraction.”
The network also told its anchors and commentators to simplify their explanations and insights to make them understandable for novice bettors. Its simulcast arrangement with NBC Sports could nearly double its reach: TVG is in 45 million homes while the NBC Sports Network is in 83 million homes.
So far, TVG has a significant number of tracks still running to broadcast. “But that may be changing by the hour,” Levin said.”

Pook

omar

03-20-2020, 10:59 AM

And down goes GP. Still open FG, OP, TAM, LRL and I think SA.

Ted Craven

03-20-2020, 11:31 AM

And down goes GP. Still open FG, OP, TAM, LRL and I think SA.

Accuracy helps ...

Racing at Gulfstream suspended for TODAY March 20 while new health procedures implemented; resumes Saturday March 21: https://www.gulfstreampark.com/racing

Racing suspended at Laurel Park until further notice: https://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/laurel-park-racing-suspended-after-governor-issues-maryland-unites-initiative/

Harness Racing suspended at Mohawk/Woodbine until further notice: https://woodbine.com/mohawk/

Running today (so far): TAM, FG, OP, SA, GG, TP, REM, CT

Ted

omar

03-20-2020, 11:51 AM

Hey, that sounds good to me. When I play tracks outside the eastern time zone it just makes the day too long for me.
Stay healthy.

The Pook

03-20-2020, 03:31 PM

Is Our Fight Against Coronavirus Worse Than the Disease?
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/20/opinion/coronavirus-pandemic-social-distancing.html?referringSource=articleShare

This sounds like a plan. For 99% of the population this virus causes mild cold like symptoms. As suggested by this author let things return mostly to normal. Trying to contain it like China or South Korea or Singapore is weeks too late anyway. Reserve testing for those 60 and over, or with preexisting medical issues. Isolate the positives. Most everyone else gets the virus and in so doing develops a herd immunity. For those in the younger group that do get seriously sick there would be more capacity to treat them.

This way the whole world economy doesn’t need to grind to a halt.

Pook

barb craven

03-20-2020, 05:31 PM

I, for one, am taking this very seriously. Even though I've led a good long life (86 almost years) I would still like to stick around a little longer. Up where I live we are taking this virous extremely seriously. Libraries and schools have been closed since the first week in March. All non-essential businesses have been closed for the past week until further notice; all gatherings, no matter the number, have been cancelled for the past few weeks, restaurants are open for a few hours a day for pre-ordered take out only, grocery stores are on fewer hours, with the first hour of the day for seniors only; (we are lucky that they are able to keep their shelves about 70% stocked). I have been staying at home, only going out for walks and to pharmacy which remains open, but after listening to the link I am posting below and watching a video that Alison's sister who lives in Rome posted on her FB timeline today of army vehicles travelling the streets of Rome full of bodies they were transporting to the crematorium, I have decided to limit myself to on-line and phone contacts for the duration.

Duration, now that's a word I haven't used in this context since I was a child during the 2nd World War. Whenever we asked adults how much longer it was going to last, the reply was always "for the duration". Please, please my friends, heed all the warnings so we will indeed be able to meet again at Saratoga, if not this year, maybe next.

https://youtu.be/nSgooc0m3Eo?fbclid=IwAR3nUbCouxuFxawlnv0D_4Gi5fLOtKLV18KrxE3aAa7LZkKli6-gtpy9R94

CheckMark

03-21-2020, 08:43 AM

Sunland has canceled it’s races up till 4/5

Parx has canceled it’s races till 3/28

Mahoning has cancelled it’s races till 3/24

Aqueduct has canceled till further notice but may come up with a date

Keeneland has cancelled it’s Spring meet and posssibly the October meet

Triple Crown has been moved till September/October

Belmont and Churchill are day to day

Will Woodbine be cancelled????

tom

03-21-2020, 11:11 AM

I, for one, am taking this very seriously.

Duration, now that's a word I haven't used in this context since I was a child during the 2nd World War. Whenever we asked adults how much longer it was going to last, the reply was always "for the duration". Please, please my friends, heed all the warnings so we will indeed be able to meet again at Saratoga, if not this year, maybe next.

Great Post!!!!

And good for You.
I hear a lot "it only affects old people!"
What a terrible thing to say.

Your generation faced a far greater burden during WWII than we face today.
People need to take a lesson from your book of lessons learned.
It has only been a week and people are going off the deep end.

I hope your attitude spreads as fast of the virus does! :D

Stay safe!

barb craven

03-21-2020, 01:44 PM

lone speed

03-21-2020, 01:53 PM

I got a message forwarded by a friend:

This info is from my friend that works for CDC that passed this along to his family and friends. I'm passing it along as well..
The new NCP coronavirus may not show sign of infection for many days, how can one know if he/she is infected. By the time they have fever and/or cough and goes to the hospital, the lungs is usually 50 % Fibrosis and it's too late!
Taiwan experts provide a simple self-check that we can do every morning:
Take a deep breath and hold your breath for more than 10 seconds. If you complete it successfully without coughing, without discomfort, stuffiness or tightness, etc.,it proves there is no fibrosis in the lungs, basically indicating no infection.
In critical times, please self-check every morning in an environment with clean air.
SERIOUS EXCELLENT ADVICE by Japanese Doctors treating COVID-19 cases:
Everyone should ensure your mouth & throat is moist, never DRY. Take a few sips of water every 15 mins at least. WHY?
Even if the virus gets into your mouth...drinking water or other liquids will WASH them down through your esophagus into the stomach. Once there in tummy...your stomach ACID will kill all the virus. If you don't drink enough water more regularly....the virus can enter your windpipes and into the LUNGS. That's very dangerous.
Pls send and share with family, friends and everyone.”

Mitch44

03-21-2020, 02:46 PM

This is false information that is circulating around the internet. The Surgeon General, CDC etc. of the Virus Task Force has stated this is false information.

The internet is loaded with incorrect data and assumptions. One should not hold their breath on what they see or hear from the internet but do listen to the experts.

Mitch44

barb craven

03-21-2020, 02:47 PM

coacht

03-21-2020, 02:47 PM

Thanks for the post.

Very useful advise

MikeB

03-21-2020, 03:10 PM

Oops!

“The 10 seconds thing is not true,” says Dr. Ratner. That's because coronavirus can present differently in people, including in the severity of symptoms and specific symptoms in general. "Some people are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms and would easily be able to hold their breath for 10 seconds," Nate Favini, MD, medical lead at Forward (https://goforward.com/), a primary care practice currently conducting COVID-19 swab testing and treatment of patients, tells Health. "So, not being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds is not an accurate test for the coronavirus," he says.

"The only valid way to know if you have coronavirus is to get a medical test," adds Jaimie Meyer, MD (https://www.yalemedicine.org/doctors/jaimie_meyer/), an infectious disease doctor at Yale Medicine. (FYI: This involves a swab of your nose and throat that looks for the the coronavirus. While testing availability depends on where you live, most places it is only available with a prescription from your doctor.)
https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/self-test-for-coronavirus

lone speed

03-21-2020, 03:34 PM

I apologized for my post. Take care everyone and above all else stay safe

Ted Craven

03-21-2020, 05:36 PM

Thanks for that Tom. My words take on a greater meaning today. We had an update last night, and despite all our precautions, we now have 3 active cases in our nursing home, which has been on limited family members only for a month now.

That's not good news Mum. I hope they can isolate them and care for them properly.

And to be clear, YOU yourself do not live in that nursing home, it's a nursing home in your community.

Ted

barb craven

03-22-2020, 09:04 AM

You're right Ted. I didn't make that clear, I don't live in that nursing home. It's in our small community.

Ted Craven

03-22-2020, 05:51 PM

Updated list of open and suspended tracks, as of today Sunday 3/22 (as best I can tabulate it). FWIW, I am preparing for the list of Open tracks to go to NIL soon :(

Thoroughbred - Racing with no public attendance
Golden Gate
Gulfstream
Oaklawn
Remington Park (Quarterhorse)
Sam Houston
Tampa Bay Downs
Will Rogers Downs

Thoroughbred - Closed/Canceled
Aqueduct
Charles Town
Fairgrounds
Fairmount Park
Keeneland
Laurel Park
Mahoning Valley
Parx Racing
Penn National
Santa Anita
Sunland
Turf Paradise
Turfway Park

CheckMark

03-22-2020, 06:43 PM

New!

Remington Park (QH)
Will Rogers Downs

Ordered to close today

Ted Craven

03-22-2020, 07:43 PM

New!

Remington Park (QH)
Will Rogers Downs

Ordered to close today

Please check your sources:

WRD continues racing without LIVE attendance: https://www.cherokeecasino.com/will-rogers-downs/amenities/races

Same with REM (QH): https://www.remingtonpark.com/calendar-posttimes/

I added Will Rogers Downs back on the active list.

Ted

Ted Craven

03-22-2020, 07:45 PM

Here is the Equibase listing of Track and Race cancellations:
http://www.equibase.com/static/latechanges/html/cancellations.html

Ted

coacht

03-22-2020, 08:15 PM

Thanks Ted for your updates

Gene

CheckMark

03-23-2020, 08:03 AM

Please check your sources:

WRD continues racing without LIVE attendance: https://www.cherokeecasino.com/will-rogers-downs/amenities/races

Same with REM (QH): https://www.remingtonpark.com/calendar-posttimes/

I added Will Rogers Downs back on the active list.

Ted

Sorry ted I thought when there was closure at the racetrack I thought the would close. 😬

Ted Craven

03-23-2020, 08:50 AM

No worries Conley! Whenever I hear something out there on the 'interweb', I like to double-check things closest to the source :)

Ted

Swifty0x0

03-23-2020, 09:01 AM

If they don't refund the table reservations I can certainly understand the apprehension in booking them. I second Ted's vote to keep the weekend originally planned (Aug 22), especially in case others have already started making travel reservations.

Knowing the date as far in advance as possible is the first step.

CheckMark

03-23-2020, 08:56 PM

Just got word that Woodbine has cancelled there 2020 season until further notice!

:eek:

This is getting out of hand! I just want to go to my Co-op at Grand River Raceway Miguel’s/Gift Shop

Ted Craven

03-23-2020, 10:40 PM

Just got word that Woodbine has cancelled there 2020 season until further notice!

:eek:

This is getting out of hand! I just want to go to my Co-op at Grand River Raceway Miguel’s/Gift Shop

https://woodbine.com/woodbine-news/woodbine-entertainment-to-postpone-start-of-2020-thoroughbred-season/

.

DaveEdwards

03-24-2020, 05:42 AM

The UK is now on lockdown following an announcement by Boris Johnson last night.

I believe it is everyone's social responsibility to adhere to this whether they like it or not. Some of the behaviour over here has been absolutely ridiculous. People treating this as a holiday and all going out to enjoy themselves in large crowds gathering at various tourist destinations. It makes my blood boil.

Stay safe everyone. And keep that social distancing!

Ted Craven

03-24-2020, 01:22 PM

I created a separate Thread for general coronavirus/pandemic living discussion, here: http://paceandcap.com/forums/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=12868

Posts about horse racing cancellations and industry issues related to the pandemic can continue here.

Ted

Ted Craven

03-27-2020, 06:05 PM

Ted Craven

03-27-2020, 06:06 PM

Updated as of March 27.

Thoroughbred - Racing with no public attendance
Golden Gate
Gulfstream
Oaklawn
Remington Park (Quarterhorse)
Sam Houston
Tampa Bay Downs
Will Rogers Downs

Thoroughbred - Closed/Canceled
Aqueduct
Charles Town
Fairgrounds
Fairmount Park
Keeneland
Laurel Park
Mahoning Valley
Parx Racing
Penn National
Santa Anita
Sunland
Turf Paradise
Turfway Park

MikeB

03-28-2020, 12:33 AM

Santa Anita suspends racing (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/239332/health-department-order-suspends-racing-at-santa-anita).

Turfway park suspends racing (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/239290/turfway-park-cancels-racing-following-governors-order).

Maybe we should start a pool on which will be the last track standing.

Ted

I think the Santa Anita shutdown was as much or more about politics than about safety. There has been absolutely no trace of the virus there, and the track was more secured than most. They didn't even let in owners with horses running.

Lt1

04-02-2020, 05:42 PM

Add Golden Gate to the tracks shut down list. Closed by the Health Dept today.
Tim