Racing Suspended at Turfway, Aqueduct; Churchill Delays Opening

By Darren Rogers —-

RACING SUSPENDED AT TURFWAY PARK EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

Decision Follows Kentucky Governor’s Health at Home Executive Order

LOUISVILLE, KY. (Tuesday, March 25, 2020) – Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) announced the suspension of racing at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky. effective immediately, in accordance with the “Healthy at Home” Executive Order 2020-257 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, which means only the final three racing dates were lost.

Turfway Park’s backside will remain 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.

About Churchill Downs Incorporated

Churchill Downs Incorporated is an industry-leading racing, online wagering and gaming entertainment company anchored by our iconic flagship event – The Kentucky Derby. We own and operate Derby City Gaming, a historical racing machine facility in Louisville, Kentucky. We also own and operate the largest online horse racing wagering platform in the U.S., TwinSpires.com, and we operate sports betting and iGaming through our BetAmerica platform in multiple states. We are also a leader in brick-and-mortar casino gaming with approximately 11,000 slot machines and video lottery terminals and 200 table games in eight states. Additional information about CDI can be found online at www.churchilldownsincorporated.com.

Racing operations at Aqueduct Racetrack suspended through April 5

By Pat McKenna —-

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack will be suspended through at least April 5 due to the continued impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in New York.

As a result, the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino, previously slated for April 4 at Aqueduct, has been postponed to a date yet to be determined. A decision regarding the Aqueduct spring meet stakes schedule, including the Grade 1, $400,000 Carter Handicap; Grade 2, $300,000 Gazelle; Grade 3, $250,000 Bay Shore; and Grade 3, $150,000 Excelsior, all slated for April 4, will be made at a later date.

“While this decision is necessary, NYRA is working hard to determine when we can return to racing while prioritizing the health and welfare of everyone involved in our operations,” said NYRA CEO and President Dave O’Rourke. “I would like to thank the trainers and backstretch community who are caring for the horses stabled at Belmont Park during this period of great uncertainty.”

On March 19, NYRA announced live racing at Aqueduct was suspended following the confirmation that a backstretch worker who lived and worked at Belmont Park tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Preparedness and Response Plan Committee, comprised of key NYRA staff members as well as representatives from the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST), and the New York Race Track Chaplaincy of America (NYRTCA), have closely monitored and assessed developments regarding the coronavirus for the past several weeks.

During that time, the committee has established a number of key protocols following the most up-to-date health guidance established by the New York State Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to monitor and manage both the Aqueduct and Belmont properties.

“I’m encouraged by and thankful for the support, teamwork and communication with our industry partners during this difficult time,” said O’Rourke. “The real-time input and expertise provided by Joe Appelbaum and the NYTHA team, along with the care and compassion of Paul Ruchames at BEST, our Chaplain Humberto Chavez, as well as Libby Imperio and her colleagues at Anna House have helped to safeguard our community and provide a sense of stability and hope.”

The Belmont backstretch is home to 585 workers, who tend to the essential daily care of the more than 1,300 thoroughbreds stabled on the property. For the safety of the community, a number of safeguards recommended by the Preparedness and Response Plan Committee were implemented:

NYRA contracted with multiple outside cleaning vendors following best practices established by the New York State Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Posting of coronavirus related signage in English and Spanish across the backstretch noting key information regarding social distancing, handwashing techniques, and a hotline to call for workers feeling the onset of symptoms.

Access to enter Belmont Park was restricted to Gate 6 and all workers, including licensed horsemen, that do not live on the backstretch are subject to a standard health assessment including temperature check.

The Belmont Park grounds are closed to ship-in horses with the exception of horses in extenuating circumstances subject to the approval of Martin Panza, NYRA’s Senior Vice President of Racing Operations.

To eliminate congestion and encourage social distancing, a number of common areas have been closed or had their service modified including the recreation center, Morning Line café, track kitchen and clockers stand. The Morning Line café and track kitchen are providing grab-and-go food options to align with guidance from the New York State Department of Health. The clockers stand has been closed to all but essential safety personnel.

In addition, NYRA has confirmed with its vendor, Triple Star Horse Feed, that feed supply for horses stabled at Belmont is guaranteed during this time of uncertainty.

The Belmont Park backstretch and its facilities remain open to horsemen and operational for training. Owners will not be permitted access to the backstretch until further notice.

REOPENING OF STABLE AREAS AT CHURCHILL DOWNS DELAYED UNTIL APRIL 14

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Tuesday, March 24, 2020) – Churchill Downs Racetrack announced today that it will delay the reopening of its stable areas at both Churchill Downs Racetrack and the auxiliary training center Trackside until Tuesday, April 14. The decision was made after ongoing consultation with public health officials amid public health concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Churchill Downs’ stable areas have been closed since Dec. 31 for annual winter renovations and were originally scheduled to reopen Tuesday, March 17. 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.

“Together, we are in the midst of an unprecedented global health crisis and every tough decision we make is made with the best real time information we have from government officials and public health experts,” said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “We understand how trying the impact of this decision is on our horsemen, but we will continue to work tirelessly with public health experts toward a satisfactory resolution so our horsemen and their horses can return home safely as soon as possible.”

Churchill Downs’ 38-day Spring Meet is scheduled for April 25-June 27. With respect to postponing the opening of the Spring Meet, a decision will be made closer to that date using the most recent information while working with and seeking guidance from public health experts and authorities. Last week, it was announced that the 146th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve was rescheduled from Saturday, May 2 to Saturday, Sept. 5.

ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, The Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) offers year-round simulcast wagering in addition to live racing during Spring, September and Fall Meets. www.ChurchillDowns.com.

-END-