California, Florida, Maryland, New York racetracks bar fans in response to coronavirus outbreak

Racetracks across the U.S. and around the world began rapidly mobilizing in reaction to the burgeoning coronavirus outbreak, with tracks in California, Florida, Maryland, New York, Ireland, and Dubai closing their doors to spectators for the foreseeable future.

Santa Anita Park in Southern California, Golden Gate Fields just northeast of San Francisco, Aqueduct racetrack in Queens, Gulfstream Park in Florida, Laurel Park in Maryland and all tracks in Ireland announced that spectators would be banned effective immediately, though racing would continue at the tracks. In California and New York, the spectator bans were put in place after the states’ governors urged or demanded that crowds be limited in order to curtail the spread of the virus.

“We heard Gov. Newsom’s call and we are responding accordingly,” Aidan Butler, the top racing official at Santa Anita for its owner, The Stronach Group, said in a statement. “Much like other sports which have chosen to play without spectators, we will race with the personnel necessary to ensure the safety of the horses and the integrity of the sport. It is in everyone’s best interest to take these steps and we appreciate everyone’s understanding of this unique situation.”

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In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo banned gatherings of “500 or more people” just prior to Aqueduct making its announcement.

“We believe the most prudent decision to protect the health and well being of all involved in our sport is to conduct upcoming race dates without attendees,” said David O’Rourke, the chief executive of the New York Racing Association. “NYRA will continue to actively monitor this evolving situation and make further adjustments as necessary.”

In Dubai, the organizers of the March 28 Dubai World Cup announced on Thursday that the event will be closed to “paid spectators,” with attendees limited to “horse connections, racing officials, accredited media, and sponsors.” All pre-race events like the draw for the race were canceled.

At the U.S. tracks that were closed for spectators, racing licensees will continue to be allowed into the tracks, including regulatory personnel, and races will continue to be conducted. Training will also continue at the tracks.

In a statement, The Stronach Group said that its policy for its California tracks “will be evaluated on a daily basis on the advice of governmental and health authorities.” The ban on spectators at Gulfstream, also owned by TSG, will be in place “indefinitely,” the track said.

Sports around the U.S. and the world began taking similar measures roughly 24 hours earlier, with nearly every major collegiate basketball tournament canceled on Thursday morning. The NBA and NHL seasons were suspended until further notice, and Major League Baseball has canceled the remaining of its spring training games and will delay the start of the regular season by at least two weeks. The PGA will begin barring fans at its prestigious Players Championship in Florida beginning on Friday.