Aqueduct puts new COVID-19 jockey protocols in place

The New York Racing Association on Thursday announced updated jockey protocols for the remainder of the Aqueduct winter meet that will allow out of town riders to participate provided they produce two negative COVID-19 tests within a five-day period.

Originally, only those riders who were considered part of the Aqueduct jockey colony as of Dec. 31 could ride at the meet, which ends on March 28. Beginning next week, an out of town rider who wants to ride at Aqueduct may do so provided they test negative twice in New York in a five-day period. Incoming riders will be provided isolated jockey quarters.

Javier Castellano, who is currently riding at Gulfstream Park, is scheduled to come up from Florida for the March 6 Gotham Stakes program. Under the original protocols, he would not have been permitted to do so. Under the updated protocols, if Castellano tests negative on Tuesday and then again on Saturday, he will be allowed to ride at Aqueduct on March 6.

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Castellano is expected to ride Highly Motivated for Chad Brown in the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes as well as Search Results, also trained by Brown, in the $250,000 Busher Invitational.

The new protocols are in place for the 13 programs in March.

Updated protocols will be announced at a later date for the 11-day Aqueduct spring meet, which begins April 1. The highlight of that meet is the April 3 card topped by the Grade 1 Carter Handicap and Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial, a day when it is likely riders based out of town may want to ride at Aqueduct.