Colonial Downs cancels cards after McCarthy tests positive for coronavirus

Colonial Downs-based jockey Trevor McCarthy has tested positive for COVID-19, leading Colonial to cancel its Tuesday and Wednesday racing programs, the track announced Tuesday.

McCarthy, who tops the Colonial jockey standings with 14 wins, took off his mounts Sunday and Monday after experiencing “flu-like symptoms” on Saturday night, according to his agent, Scott Silver. McCarthy attempted to get tested for COVID-19 on Monday, was unable to, went for testing on Tuesday, and returned a positive result.

Silver said McCarthy’s symptoms had dissipated and he was feeling well enough on Tuesday that he would have ridden the Colonial card had his test come back negative.

It’s unclear how long McCarthy will have to sit out before he can resume riding, and it also was unclear Tuesday afternoon how Colonial can proceed following the positive test. The track took the preemptive step of canceling the two cards this week as it seeks guidance from the Virginia Department of Health, according to a batch text message sent to horsemen.

Colonial began its 2020 meet July 27 but had to cancel the opening-night card because of extreme heat. That program was made up on Aug. 2. The Aug. 4 card was lost to heavy rain from Tropical Storm Isaias and was made up Aug. 9, and now, in week 3 of the meet, come two more cancellations.