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SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2020
by: Rich Bieglmeier
With the lockdown lifestyle ending for some states in the near-term, as early as May 1 for some. Fox News listed the states that are ready for a phase 1 of reopening according to the White House's new coronavirus guidelines. We looked at the 22 states on the list to see which horse racing tracks could open their gates to horse racing within the next few weeks.
Alabama – no horse racing tracks, but NASCAR fans will be happy if Talladega Superspeedway hosts a live race instead of virtual iRacing.
Arizona – Rillito in Tucson and Turf Paradise in Phoenix are done for the year.
Arkansas – never issued a stay at home order and Oaklawn Park continues its meet until closing day on May 2, 2020.
Colorado - Arapahoe Park's original schedule was to open on May 2nd but will begin racing on May 23rd provided things go as planned.
Florida – is already in the process of re-opening but never shut down horse racing. All horse racing should continue as scheduled.
Idaho – Pocatello Downs is slated to open on July 17th and should run as expected minus a coronavirus relapse.
Indiana – Indiana Grand was scheduled to run from April 14, 2020 until November 18, 2020. Governor Eric Holcomb says he wants to try and reopen in early May; so, Indiana Grand could let the horses out shortly thereafter.
Iowa – another state that didn't house arrest its citizens. Prairie Meadows was scheduled to start on May 1, 2020, but management ceased operations. However, considering the new guidelines, horse racing should commence shortly and run through September 26. 2020.
Kansas – no horse racing. What's wrong with them?
Minnesota – Canterbury Park closed voluntarily on March 16, 2020, but announced they are planning on opening the horse racing season as planned on May 15, 2020.
Mississippi – may be the home for Is and Ss but it isn't the home of horse racing, getting another what's wrong with them?
Missouri – yet another what's wrong with you state without horse racing.
Montana – and the WWWY list adds another horse racingless state.
Nevada – the pioneer land of legal gambling and no horse racing tracks? They get a pass from the WWWY list because, well, Las Vegas.
North Dakota - Chippewa Downs should start racing as expected on June 6, 2020 through June 28, 2020, and then winter arrives.
Ohio – Thistledown was scheduled to open on April 27th but is COVID closed for now. Belterra Park's racing calendar was supposed to begin on April 24, 2020 and run through September 25, 2020. Governor Mike DeWine says the state will reopen on May 1; so; horse racing could begin soon.
Oklahoma – Remington Park is running as scheduled with closing day on May 30, 2020.
South Carolina – another WWWY member.
South Dakota – ditto
Tennessee – double ditto
Texas – surprisingly, Texas is closed for racing business. However, Governor Greg Abbot is loosening up the strings and the stay at home order expires on April 30th.
Lone Star Park is expected the review its policy on May 3, 2020.
Sam Houston canceled its quarter horse meet which was scheduled to start on April 10th.
Retama Park should run as scheduled starting July 3, 2020.
Wyoming – Wyoming Downs should run as expected from July 4, 2020 until August 16, 2020.
Of course, racing dates are fluid and subject to change depending on the coronavirus infection rates. We'll keep you up to date as information becomes available.
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