Hanover, Clinton To Allow Guests

Hanover Raceway and Clinton Raceway have announced their plan regarding having 100 guests at their facility, as mandated by the Ontario Government in Stage 3 of its COVID-19 plan.

Both facilities will allow one (1) owner and a guest, of horses racing on that day's race card to attend, up to a maximum of 100 guests. There will be an online registration system set up where owners will be asked to register themselves, name the horse in their ownership, as well as their guest. This will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Masks are required to come through the entry checkpoint and interacting with staff, but are not currently required in an outdoor setting while on the premises, as long as individuals are practicing social distancing, which is mandatory (6.5 feet apart) at all times. Use of all hand washing stations frequently is encouraged to limit the spread of the virus.

Temperature checks and a questionnaire will be conducted with all owners and guests entering both premises.

Both facilities will have no food or beverages available. There will be also be no live tellers currently available for wagering. Wagering can be conducted at hpibet.com as it has been throughout this pandemic.

Both racetracks will apply to the Ontario Government for the right to allow additional guests, given the amount of space at both facilities to be able to socially distance and manage a larger number than 100 guests safely.

“We are going to try our very best to increase our capacity in the short term to accommodate as many fans as we can. We miss having you at the track and hope it will be soon that we can have you return. In the meantime, we hope you'll continue to enjoy both Hanover and Clinton races from wherever you are watching from and support our products. We're doing our best to make the most of the situation we're in," commented Hanover Raceway General Manager Steve Fitzsimmons.

“We are very appreciative of all the support we've received from our fan bases. It's been an unprecedented situation we're all in and we ask for your patience and understanding while we try and increase our capacity to allow additional guests,” said Clinton Raceway General Manager lan Fleming.

Both facilities will implement these changes effective for this weekend's cards of harness racing -- Saturday, July 18 at Hanover Raceway and Sunday, July 19 at Clinton Raceway.

Officials with Grand River Raceway in Elora, Ont. told Trot Insider that the track will not be allowing fans or guests on-site for its card on Friday, July 17.

(with files from Hanover)