Penn National horsemen hope to run soon

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
Laurel Park delays Friday post time
With high temperatures in the area, Laurel Park has delayed its first post for its Friday, August 5 card to 1:50 p.m.
Huge Haskell day for Monmouth valet Kevin Velez
Haskell Stakes day at Monmouth Park produced big afternoons for a number of people, including Kevin Velez, valet for the winners of all six stakes.
Colonial Downs, Monmouth to debut combined wager
Colonial Downs and Monmouth Park on Monday will unveil their new Mid-Atlantic Pick 4, which combines two races at each in a weekly sequence.
Jed Doro named head of racing at Delaware Park
Jed Doro, racing secretary at Delaware Park, has been named Director of Racing and will replace the retiring John Mooney in this role.
Delaware: John Mooney to retire
Delaware Park’s executive director of racing John Mooney, a Mid-Atlantic fixture for decades, will retire August 1, the track announced.
Colonial Downs cancels Monday card
With excessive temperatures and heat indexes predicted, Colonial Downs has canceled its live racing card for Monday, July 25.