LAUREL, Md. – Given the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Maryland and additional orders from county and state officials, the Maryland Jockey Club will revise some of its COVID-19 protocols.
Effective at 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, the jockeys’ rooms will be closed to riders who aren’t based at Laurel Park. Jockeys from other states will no longer be permitted to ride or exercise horses at Laurel Park or Pimlico, and members of the Maryland riding colony will not be allowed to ride or exercise horses out of state.
In addition, owners and jockey agents will not be permitted in the stable areas at Laurel Park and Pimlico.
There will be no changes in current operations on the frontside at Laurel Park. The limit on patrons at Laurel Park remains at 250 per state and county orders.
Owners, patrons and employees will continue using the grandstand entrance for admittance to the facility through a thermal-scanning temperature check. Owners on the building side who desire to go the paddock will continue to be allowed to travel along the clubhouse apron for access to and from the paddock.
Owners will continue to be allowed to watch from the paddock area but will not be allowed into the paddock. Trainers and jockeys will continue to use the Horsemen’s paddock entrance as has been the practice on live race days for hand-held temperature checks. Trainers will continue to be allowed in the paddock but only for their respective races.
The Racing Office will remain closed to horsemen.
News Release
Photo courtesy of Maryland Jockey Club
