COVID and Keeneland’s Fall Meet: Who can and can’t attend races this year?
No tailgating, no burgoo, no bread pudding for you: Keeneland on Tuesday announced that there will be no fans at the upcoming Fall Racing Meet because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Although the track will be closed to the public, “a limited number of participants and essential personnel” will be allowed on the grounds.
During the unprecedented five-day Summer Meet in July, Keeneland raced without spectators and only allowed a limited number of owners and essential personnel to attend.
This meet will expand that to allow in more well-heeled patrons.
Despite keeping out most spectators, boxholders and club members will be allowed to attend the races, scheduled for Oct. 2-24.
Besides trainers, grooms and jockeys, racehorse owners and sponsors also will be allowed in on the proper day.
But no grandstand or reserved seats will be sold, and no general admission walk-up tickets will be allowed.
All attendees must be credentialed, according to the track, and seating will be assigned in advance.
Everyone will be required to wear a facemask and maintain social distancing, Keeneland said. And the track will maintain contact information for potential contact tracing.
“The safety of our employees, our participants and our fans remains Keeneland’s top priority,” said Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason in a news release. “We have the most loyal fans in the world and we cannot wait for the day when we can welcome them back for live racing. The decision to close the meet to the public was made after consulting with local and state government officials and public health experts and monitoring how various sporting venues and events around the world have operated during the pandemic. With the guidance of these experts and lessons learned from recent events, we know this is the responsible course of action.”
The announcement follows Saturday’s news that the Breeders’ Cup, which will be held at Keeneland Nov. 4-5, would not allow spectators to protect against the spread of the coronavirus.
Keeneland also recently began the 12-day September Yearling Sale, a key market for Thoroughbred buyers, with restrictions in place to protect attendees.
“Sunday’s kickoff of the 12-day September Yearling Sale, which is followed by the Fall Meet, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships and the November Breeding Stock Sale, marks the beginning of a significant three months of business for Keeneland and the horse industry as a whole,” said Keeneland president-elect and interim head of sales Shannon Arvin, in a statement. “It is paramount that we conduct our sales and racing operations in a safe and responsible manner that promotes the health and success of everyone involved.”
Bettors will be able to wager at The Red Mile simulcasting facility and through ADW accounts.
