On Thursday, April 30, 2020, Churchill Downs Racetrack received approval from state officials to re-open its stable areas at both Churchill Downs Racetrack and the auxiliary training centre 'Trackside' on Monday, May 11 under strict guidelines to effectively mitigate the impact of COVID-19.
The stable areas will re-open under a phased, systematic approach. Opening day of the 2020 spring meet with spectator-free racing will be communicated in the coming days after track officials evaluate its in-coming horse population and load-in procedures.
“We were able to come to an agreement (Tuesday) specifically with the group that’s going to start, Churchill Downs,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said during his 5 p.m. news conference Wednesday. “They are going to start accepting horses and start accepting folks on their backside … on May 11. There will be no fans for racing. I will tell you this is one of the most detailed plans that we have seen about specific security checks that everybody has to go through and be temperature-checked to masking to having a very limited group that is there.”
Churchill Downs, in conjunction with other Kentucky racetracks and the KHRC, has identified specific protocols for its stabling and racing facilities as it relates to COVID-19. A multitude of precautions and procedures based on criteria set by public health experts will be implemented to ensure the safety of all employees, stakeholders and horses.
“We truly appreciate the leadership of Governor Beshear and all of the hard work and guidance that state and local officials and public health experts have provided us to safely re-open,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery. “The health and safety of our horsemen, staff and community remains paramount. Strict compliance with our comprehensive COVID-19 Action Plan and social distancing guidelines is our responsible duty to effectively contain the virus.”
Racing at Churchill Downs during the spring meet will be conducted spectator-free until government officials approve fans returning to the historic track. Only authorized racetrack employees and KHRC license holders who are providing support for a horse stabled at the facility will be permitted on property. This specifically includes only trainers with horses stabled or racing on the facility grounds and those who are responsible for the care of the horses (veterinarians, grooms, exercise riders and farriers).
Churchill Downs’ stable areas have been closed since December 31 for annual winter renovations and were originally scheduled to re-open March 17. Because of the unique situation, there will be a phased, systematic and controlled return of horses and their personnel to the stable areas starting on Monday, May 11.
The following is a listing of racetracks and when horses based there may return to Churchill Downs’ stable areas between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. (all times Eastern):
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Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La. (May 11-13)
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Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla., Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Fla. and horses based at Florida training centers (May 14-16)
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Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. (May 17-19)
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All other locales (May 20)
When racing returns to Churchill Downs it will be staged at a minimum of four days per week, Thursday through Sunday. A daily post time for the first race has not yet been finalized. A revised stakes schedule and condition book for the schedule of races also will be issued in the coming days.
Tickets for previously-scheduled May race dates will automatically be refunded at the point of purchase and ticket holders will receive an email with additional details. Tickets for June race dates will be addressed at a later date.
On March 17, it was announced that the 146th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve was rescheduled from Saturday, May 2 to Saturday, September 5.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM CHURCHILL DOWNS’ COVID-19 ACTION PLAN
PROCEDURES, GUIDELINES AND DIRECTIVES
Pre-entry procedures include wearing at minimum a cloth/mask or face covering prior to entering and all times while on the grounds, COVID-19 testing and passing a medical screening which includes a medical questionnaire and temperature reading.
All individuals who refuse to comply with the COVID-19 Action Plan or those who do not pass the medical screening will be denied entry onto the premises and asked to self-quarantine per CDC guidelines. A log will be kept for individuals that fail initial medical screening so that track security can ensure current CDC self-quarantine timelines have been met prior to attempted re-entry to site.
Each person on the grounds will be given a colour-coded wristband which will validate that person has passed that day’s screening. Each day a new colour will be used to ensure that all individuals are cleared to be on the grounds.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
In accordance with CDC guidelines, all horsemen and racetrack employees will be required to practice safe social distancing procedures. This includes avoiding group gatherings of any size and maintaining a six-foot social distancing protocol for all interactions. Track security will enforce social distancing policies in effect and repeated non-compliance will result in removal from the site.
ONSITE DAILY CHECK-INS
In addition to screening at the point of entry to the grounds, Churchill Downs will set up a process for daily onsite check-ins to screen individuals residing on the backside. These individuals will be required to report to a designated location on the grounds where they will have their temperature checked and must answer the questions for the medical questionnaire. Tracks will require all trainers to submit a badge list identifying their employees which will be cross-referenced to ensure that all employees are screened daily. Trainers will be advised of any individuals who failed to show up for their daily screening.
At the conclusion of daily screenings, security will also randomly check to make sure horsemen have the current colour-coded wristband for each day. Anyone who does not have the correct wristband will be asked to re-screen immediately.
QUARANTINE PROTOCOLS
Churchill Downs will make medical staff available to provide more detailed medical evaluations for those individuals who do not pass the screening in an effort to determine if they meet the CDC guidelines for quarantining. Those who are not required to quarantine will be allowed to return to their regular assigned area(s) and will continue to participate in daily medical screenings. Those required to quarantine will be asked to report to their trainer to coordinate the offsite quarantine location in accordance with current CDC guidance.
At the conclusion of their CDC recommended duration of quarantine, the individual must be re-evaluated by a medical professional. If the individual still exhibits symptoms associated with COVID-19, the medical professional may recommend additional isolation or off site treatment at that time. Conversely, upon successful medical re-screening, the individual will be allowed to return to their regular assigned area(s) and will continue to participate in daily medical screenings.
ONSITE STABLED HORSES & PERSONNEL PROCEDURES
Personnel are encouraged to increase the frequency of handwashing by utilizing exterior hand sanitizing stations or by utilizing restrooms/bath houses that are stocked with liquid soap.
In addition, sharing of equipment shall be minimized (lead shanks, grooming tools, mucking equipment, etc.). If equipment must be shared among horsemen, it shall be disinfected between uses.
JOCKEYS’ ROOM
Churchill Downs will ensure that jockeys and staff are adequately spaced out in the jockeys’ room to comply with proper social distance guidelines. Jockeys shipping in from out of state or are outside of the normal colony will be separated in another room.
GRANDSTAND/FRONTSIDE ACCESS/PADDOCK AREA
Grandstand, frontside and paddock access will be strictly limited to horsemen with horses racing and approved racing officials and track staff. All individuals in these areas will be checked by security personnel to ensure they have the correct colour wristband for access or they will be screened if this is their first time on the grounds that day. Congregating on the apron in large groups will not be allowed. All facilities will remain closed to the general public. There will be no onsite wagering for racing to reduce the likelihood of congregation and to limit touchpoints on the grounds. Paddock access will be limited to the trainer, assistant trainer, groom and horse only.
CLEANING PROTOCOLS FOR BACKSIDE & TRACKSIDE OPERATIONS
Dormitories – To maintain cleanliness within our backside dormitories, track personnel will ensure cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, door handles, handrails and tables, as well as non-porous surfaces in bathrooms, and laundry areas using EPA and CDC approved disinfectants. In addition, wastebaskets will be placed in visible locations and emptied regularly.
Restrooms – All restrooms/bath houses are pre-cleaned daily and routinely cleaned during normal operations provided six-foot social distances practices can be maintained. This includes frequent removal of trash and thorough cleaning of all surfaces. All restrooms/bath houses are stocked with liquid soap and all employees and on-site partners are encouraged to frequently wash their hands.
EMPLOYEE TRAINING
Training has been developed and will be provided to all team members, security and medical personnel on all new procedures and monitoring/reporting requirements. Medical personnel will develop and be trained on procedures to ensure that all suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection are properly communicated, documented and directed to appropriate quarantine facilities.
ACCESS RESTRICTIONS
To limit exposure and prevent the spread of germs and disease the following restrictions shall apply:
No fans or media will be allowed at the track;
No guests, no exceptions;
No congregating in any areas;
Official clockers and gap attendants to use their designated space(s) only;
Only trainers and horsemen with horses stabled at Churchill Downs and Trackside and others are responsible for the care of the horses (veterinarians, grooms, exercise riders, farriers) are allowed in the stable area;
Track kitchen will remain open to serve onsite personnel only via carryout orders;
No access wrist bands will be issued to family members or guests of horsemen and racetrack employees; and
Individuals under the age of 16 will be prohibited from entering the barn area at any time.
(Churchill Downs Racetrack)