Racetracks 'shutting the gates' to shippers amid coronavirus pandemic

Laurel Park's stable area will be closed to horses other than those based at Laurel and Pimlico Race Course, effective immediately, as a measure against the spread of COVID-19.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association  and the Maryland Jockey Club announced Thursday that shippers will not be permitted, and any that had been entered for the programs Friday and Saturday will be scratched.

The decision is the latest in a series of precautionary and safety measures put in place by the Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, given the ongoing pandemic.

The ban includes Maryland's Fair Hill training center, where trainers such as Graham Motion and Michael Trombetta base.

"They're shutting the gates," Motion told Horse Racing Nation.

He said a conference call was conducted earlier Thursday to discuss the changes.

"They're saying they can control what happens on the grounds at Pimlico, but they can't control what's on the grounds anywhere else," Motion said. "Quite honestly, I couldn't argue with that."

For Motion and other Fair Hill horsemen, "New York is the only place left, I think," he said. He wondered aloud how long racing can continue, "try as we might," in the event of a positive test among the horsemen population.

Motion's concerns proved true, as he spoke Thursday before the New York Racing Association canceled racing at Aqueduct due to a backstretch worker's positive test for COVID-19.

Elsewhere, at California's Santa Anita Park, Steve Lym, the track's vice president of racing and racing secretary, said Thursday that “we’re trying to figure out a way to keep everyone safe and still have our [racing] programs in place.” 

As a result, “Horses can ship here," Lym said, "but no out-of-state operations. No grooms or other personnel are allowed to follow the horse.”

Santa Anita is operated by The Stronach Group, as are Laurel and Pimlico. Gulfstream Park is another TSG property.

Laurel Park is scheduled to offer an 10-race card on Friday and an 11-race card Saturday with access severely limited to essential racing personnel only. Owners will not be permitted to MJC facilities, including the stable area.

In addition, the MTHA Board of Directors announced that, though current purse levels remain in place for the time being, it unanimously voted to reduce the 4% purse bonus for horses that place fifth through last to 2%, effective immediately. Going forward, fifth-place will receive 3% and sixth through last will be 2%.

The percentage will be reassessed at a later date.

Horse Racing Nation's editor, Jonathan Lintner, and west coast editor, Victor Ryan, contributed to this report.