Turfway Park has reported two confirmed cases of COVID-19 this month among employees and backstretch personnel. With Churchill delayed and Keeneland restricted training there has continued over the past month for local horsemen.
The BloodHorse originally reported that Tonya Abeln, vice president of corporate communications for Churchill Downs Inc., which owns Turfway Park, wrote in an email that the affected backstretch worker was “symptomatic about two weeks ago and was hospitalized for appropriate medical care and later tested positive. We have provided appropriate quarantine accommodations on property for two asymptomatic backside workers who we think could have been in contact with this individual.”
The Turfway employee that tested positive for COVID-19 did not have a working position that put him in contact with backstretch workers. He worked in “virtual isolation” and is self-quarantining for 14 days, Abeln said.
Abeln said the track provided private sleeping quarters, bath, and wash-room facilities to those two individuals that may have come in contact with the infected backstretch worker.
Backstretch communities like Turfway’s house a large number of workers in crowded dormitories. Turfway Park’s two positives are far below the COVID-19 cases at Belmont Park, where one backstretch worker died from the virus and 25 were reported as COVID-19 positive, as of April 9. Belmont Park is located in New York, which is widely considered to be the epicenter of the virus. To date, Kentucky has 3,373 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 185 deaths compared to New York state with 262,268 confirmed cases, 20,354 deaths.
The news of the two COVID-19 positives comes at a time when some horsemen in Kentucky and politicians have called for a quick return of racing in the state without spectators. No live racing is being currently being conducted in Kentucky.
Live racing meets are currently being held at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., Gulfstream Park in Hallendale, Fla., Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Fla., Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Ok., and Fonner Park in Grand Island, Neb. Recently, Grand Island has been the location of the largest COVID-19 outbreak in Nebraska.
Churchill Downs Incorporated announced the suspension of racing at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., March 25, in accordance with the “Healthy at Home” Executive Order issued by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear following public health concerns in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Turfway Park racing season was originally scheduled to run through Saturday, March 28. Only the final three racing dates were lost.
Turfway Park’s backside remains open for training because it falls under the “life-sustaining business” category as it provides “food, shelter, and other necessities of life for animals.” Focus at Turfway Park will remain on the safety of all employees and members of the backside community.
On March 15, Keeneland cancelled its Spring Meet, which was scheduled for April 2-24, due to health and safety concerns surrounding the outbreak of COVID-19.
The decision was made following a guidance announcement issued Sunday, March 15, by the Center for Disease Control, which warned against holding large events and mass gatherings that include “conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings and other types of assemblies.” Specifically, the CDC recommended that events attended by 50 people or more should be canceled or postponed for the next eight weeks.
“Keeneland’s Spring Meet is a rite and tradition that touches every aspect of Central Kentucky and beyond, and the decision to cancel racing is agonizing for our staff, our many loyal fans and our horsemen,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “During the past several weeks, we have exhausted all avenues for safely conducting our Spring Meet. Since the beginning of this pandemic, we have diligently worked with local, state and national partners in health and government to ensure our actions are the most responsible we can take. We all find ourselves in uncharted territory, but nothing is more important to Keeneland than protecting the health and safety of our athletes, stable employees, horsemen, patrons, track employees and the community at large.
Keeneland will continued to provide stabling for the horses that were currently on the grounds, and the track worked with those who care for the horses to provide the necessary protocols and guidance to create the safest environment possible.
Effective immediately, no additional horses have been permitted to ship onto the Keeneland grounds. Keeneland recommended that all horsemen not currently at Keeneland remain in place at the tracks and training facilities at which they are currently stabled. There have been no changes to morning training, which is held 6-10 a.m.
On April 7, Churchill Downs Racetrack announced that it will extend the delay in the reopening of its stable areas at both Churchill Downs Racetrack and the auxiliary training center Trackside to Tuesday, April 28. The opening of the 2020 Spring Meet, Churchill Downs’ Spring Meet was originally scheduled for April 25-June 27, has been postponed and a determination of the exact starting date will be made closer to the opening of the stable areas.
Churchill Downs’ stable areas have been closed since Dec. 31 for annual winter renovations and were originally scheduled to reopen Tuesday, March 17. Churchill Downs has delayed reopening its stable areas in response to the Executive Orders issued by Gov. Beshear.
“Obviously, this is a very fluid situation,” said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “We’re following the lead of the Governor and public health officials, who are giving us advice and counsel on what to expect over time, and every decision we make is made in compliance with those recommendations. We remain hopeful that our horsemen and their horses will be able to return home as soon as possible. Our team will be ready to open under the relevant guidance we are given when the time is right.”
Many of the horses that would be stabled at Churchill Downs this spring are currently residing at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La.; Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.; Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.; Palm Meadows in Boynton Beach, Fla.; Payson Park in Indiantown, Fla.; Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Fla.; and Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.
Past The Wire Staff
Photo Credit: Coady Photo/Turfway Park
