Penn National horsemen hope to run soon
![dynatail1 Dynatail](https://www.theracingbiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/dynatail1.jpg)
Dynatail winning the 2017 Penn Oaks. Photo by The Racing Biz.
The long wait in Grantville may be coming to an end soon.
Pennsylvania’s racetracks have been dark since mid-March, a stretch during which horsemen have been without incomes even as expenses mounted.
But in a statement tweeted out June 6, Pennsylvania Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) executive director Todd Mostoller said he expects racing to resume at Penn National — one of three Thoroughbred tracks that races during the summer in the Keystone State — to resume within two weeks.
“We expect approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Health [of proposed COVID-19 protocols to be employed at the track], which will allow racing to resume at Penn National on Friday, June 19th,” Mostoller wrote.
If that occurs, it will mean the track misses just about exactly three months of racing. Among the casualties have been the Grade 2 Penn Mile, the biggest race contested at the track.
According to the statement, gate schooling at Penn National will resume Tuesday, June 9 and will take place on a Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule. Horses ready to come off the vet’s list can work the week of June 8 for clearance.
An update for horsemen at @HollywoodPenn… pic.twitter.com/q5bdVWX3aw
— Pa HBPA (@PA_HBPA) June 6, 2020
LATEST BUSINESS NEWS
HISA touts second quarter decline in equine fatalities
Equine fatalities at tracks covered by HISA declined by 49% in the second quarter versus the same period a year ago, the organization announced today.
Jockey Club announces Round Table speakers
The 72nd annual Jockey Club Round Table Conference will take place August 1 in Saratoga and also be livestreamed.
Colonial Downs adds makeup race day
Colonial Downs will add a day of live racing in its final week of the meet to make up for a day earlier lost to bad weather.
Jockeys’ Guild, racetracks to hold national fundraiser
The Jockeys’ Guild and racetracks across the country will raise awareness for Disability Independence Day and funds for the PDJF July 27.
MTROA seeking to add community component to Preakness
While it won’t operate Preakness weekend racing in 2025, the state-created MTROA is nevertheless hoping to build a weeklong celebratoin around it.
Colonial Downs cancels July 12 card
Citing “severe weather and excessive rainfall,” Colonial Downs has canceled its card for Friday, July 12.