Amoss, Englehart self-quarantine after Sean Payton tests positive for coronavirus

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The announcement Thursday afternoon that Sean Payton, the head coach of the New Orleans Saints, had tested positive for the coronavirus led to some fallout in the racing industry.

Payton was at Oaklawn on Saturday, presenting the trophy to the connections of Azeri Stakes winner Serengeti Empress. The race was run spectator-free ontrack in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

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Tom Amoss, the trainer of Serengeti Empress, on Thursday announced through his stable’s Twitter account that he would go into a self-imposed quarantine and get tested as soon as possible because he was with Payton on Saturday at Oaklawn. Amoss said he had no symptoms.

Trainer Jeremiah Englehart told Randy Moss of NBC Sports, the NFL Network, and Beyer and Associates, that he had spent time with Payton on Saturday at Oaklawn. Englehart said he has started a self-quarantine program and has not shown any symptoms. Englehart is the trainer of Rebel Stakes fourth-place finisher Three Technique, a horse owned by Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Parcells. The Rebel was Saturday.

◗ Oaklawn’s racing department sent out a mass text Friday noting the “hot box” in the jockeys’ quarters would be closed and riders will receive a three-pound weight allowance as needed, by order of the stewards.