New York to allow ontrack fans starting April 23; NYRA weighing options

Though Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that fans will be permitted to return to horse racing tracks in New York beginning April 23, the New York Racing Association wouldn’t commit to opening its doors to fans that soon.

“We will be reviewing protocols and guidance issued by New York State to make a determination when we will be able to open Belmont Park to fans,” NYRA spokesperson Pat McKenna said.

Cuomo chose April 23 to allow fans, at 20 percent capacity, to return to horse racing and auto racing tracks provided they follow similar COVID protocols that are in place at other venues - a negative COVID test within 72 hours of attending an event or proof of full vaccination and social distancing - because he erroneously thought that was opening day of the Belmont Park spring/summer meet. Belmont actually opens April 22 and the 48-day meet runs through July 11. Belmont Stakes Day is June 5.

Coincidentally, Cuomo was at Belmont Park on Wednesday morning where he talked about COVID vaccines and the new hockey arena that will be home beginning this fall to the New York Islanders. He made no reference to horse racing other than a brief mention of the barn fire that killed two horses and applauded the efforts of track personnel and fire officials who helped saved the other 58 horses housed in that barn.

It wasn’t until a 3:15 p.m. conference call with reporters that Cuomo said “we’re updating our horse racing and auto racing guidance and effective next Friday, April 23, spectators will be allowed at 20 percent capacity for outdoor events.”

:: Bet horse racing on DRF Bets. Double Your First Deposit Up to $250. Join Now.

Cuomo did not specifically address capacity for indoor restaurants ontrack such as the Garden Terrace or Belmont Room.

Cuomo has previously allowed 20 percent capacity at outdoor venues such as Yankee Stadium and Citifield and 10 percent capacity for indoor venues such as Madison Square Garden and Nassau Coliseum.

The ground floor of the Belmont clubhouse is being used several days a week as a COVID-19 vaccine distribution center. On the second floor, part of the area where fans typically congregate is being turned into a horsemen’s lounge similar to one that was built at Aqueduct. That lounge is not expected to be ready in time for opening day.

Lastly, a sizable portion of the backyard has been taken up by the arena.

Fans have not been allowed to attend live racing since early March 2020, right as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. NYRA shut down racing operations as of March 19, 2020, and since Belmont reopened last June 3 fans have not been allowed ontrack. A limited number of owners have been allowed to attend live racing at all three NYRA tracks since Saratoga opened last July.

“NYRA has dearly missed the passion and excitement that fans bring to the sport of thoroughbred racing,” NYRA president and CEO Dave O’Rourke said in a release. “Today’s announcement by the Governor is one more indication that we are collectively moving toward a return to normalcy.”