Kentucky Downs establishes coronavirus protocols for jockeys

Most jockeys who plan to ride during any of the six live race cards scheduled at Kentucky Downs in September will need to test negative for coronavirus twice in the 72 hours leading up to their arrival at the track, Kentucky Downs announced Monday.

The protocols for riders at the Runhappy Kentucky Downs meet differ significantly from those currently in place at many tracks, but they will likely be similar to protocols established at tracks that will begin their meets in the fall or winter of this year. Most tracks are currently prohibiting riders from gaining access to the grounds without first quarantining for 14 days and testing negative, but a 14-day quarantine may be unworkable for many riders as live racing shifts to other tracks on their circuits.

The only exceptions to the Kentucky Downs protocols will apply to riders who have gone through the coronavirus protocols established by Churchill Downs in Louisville for its Derby meet, running Sept. 1-5. Under those protocols, riders are required to test negative three times, on tests performed on Aug. 24, Aug. 31, and Sept. 3. Those riders will be eligible to ride on opening day at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 7, the track said.

Any rider who leaves the state of Kentucky after riding at Churchill Downs will not be eligible to participate until testing negative 72 hours prior to arrival and testing negative again within the state of Kentucky or metro Nashville area after arriving in the state. The same policy will apply to any in-state jockeys who did not ride at Churchill or any out-of-state jockeys who are seeking to ride at the track.

Kentucky Downs is scheduled to hold live racing on Sept. 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 16. Last year, the track distributed more than $1 million a day in purses, leading the country, during a meet in which all of the racing is conducted on turf. The track has 16 stakes races scheduled, and 12 of those have purses of $500,000 or more.

Kentucky Downs will maintain three jockey areas at the track for the meet, using its bricks-and-mortar jockeys’ room and two mobile trailers it has secured for the meet. The three rooms will segregate riders based on the geographic location in which they last rode. Riders will be required to wear face masks at all times other than during the race.

All trainers and their employees who ship in to the track also will be required to produce proof of a negative coronavirus test within the past 72 hours, the track said.