Laurel Park approved to allow 250 spectators

Laurel Park in Maryland has received approval from local officials to allow as many as 250 spectators on-site as of Thursday, according to track officials.

The spectator count will not include owners who have already had access to the grounds, according to Sal Sinatra, president of Laurel Park’s parent company. Laurel will open a single concession stand for the ontrack patrons as of the Thursday card and will have betting locations open on-site for the first time since reopening on June 1.

“It will be nice to have gamblers back,” Sinatra said. “We haven’t taken a dime in handle ontrack since this whole thing started.”

Facial coverings will be required for all patrons, and the track has moved some furniture in order to facilitate social distancing. The track will be open for spectators and/or horseplayers Wednesday-Sunday. The track is conducting live racing Thursday-Sunday.

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Ontrack spectators will be limited to the second floor of the grandstand, which was refurbished over the years to include a sportsbook-like area with couches and a massive wall of screens.

Laurel began allowing owners on-site this fall, but the owners have not been able to bet at the track except through remote-wagering devices. Owners still will not have access to the paddock, though they will be able to watch from the apron and will have access to a tent set up exclusively for them.

“Basically, we’ve been encouraging them to come watch their horses and then leave, since we couldn’t offer them any amenities,” Sinatra said. “We’ll at least have something for them now.”