The Meadowlands Racetrack has announced that it intends to race live cards this Friday (March 13) and Saturday (March 14) as scheduled and drawn, but that restrictions have been put in place.

To go forth with the live cards as safely as possible, horsepeople competing will be required to comply with guidelines as set by NJ State officials.

Part of this initiative is self-quarantine; take that to mean that if you have been in the presence of a person that you are aware has been diagnosed with COVID-19, you should not be on the Meadowlands’ property this weekend and beyond.

Be advised that those caretakers of who were in the paddock at Freehold Raceway over the past weekend or have recently been in the paddock at Yonkers Raceway will not be permitted on the property of the Meadowlands Racetrack for two weeks.

"We recognize the gravity of the situation with COVID-19," said Meadowlands GM Jason Settlemoir. "We also realize the plight of our horsemen who have horses to race, so we will do everything we can to see the weekend's racing through as safely as possible. To accomplish this we will need the cooperation of those horsemen coming to the Meadowlands to race. Be thoughtful, considerate and aware of the guidelines set by those charged with managing this situation."

For additional information about COVID-19, please read the latest report from the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov, or your local health department website.

First-race post time Friday and Saturday at the Meadowlands will be at 6:55 p.m.

(With files from the Meadowlands Racetrack)