Louisiana Downs puts jockey safety protocols into place

Louisiana Downs in Bossier City has put in place a policy that will require any outside jockey who wants to ride at the track to self-quarantine for 14 days and test negative for the coronavirus, effective with today’s card, the track announced on Wednesday.

The measure, which is identical to a policy put in place at Indiana Grand last week, will also apply to any rider currently at the track who leaves to ride at another track. The measures “will be in effect until further notice,” the track said in a release.

Over the past two days, a number of tracks have put in place new protocols restricting travel for riders following a recent spate of positive tests for the coronavirus among the U.S. jockey colony. The measures have effectively closed the jocks’ rooms at tracks in New York, Maryland, Kentucky, and Indiana.

Del Mar in Southern California is expected to announce new protocols this week, after it receives the results of tests for every jockey at the track and any personnel with access to riders, such as valets. Del Mar resumes its live race meet on Friday.

Louisiana Downs reopened for live racing on June 6. The meet is scheduled to run through Sept. 23, on a Monday-through-Wednesday schedule.

The track is currently allowing patrons into the track, but those customers must wear masks at all times. There are also restrictions on access to the saddling paddock.