New York Thoroughbred Breeders' cancel awards dinner due to coronavirus

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders’ announced Thursday it has canceled the organization’s awards dinner scheduled for April 6 in Saratoga due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

At the dinner, the NYTB would have announced and honored the 2019 New York-bred champion horses. The NYTB will publicly announce the award winners on April 6 via press release and later it will distribute a video through its website and social media channels. The NYTB is contacting individual attendees about their previous reservations.

“Our decision was prompted by recent guidance from federal and state authorities about limiting large gatherings, recommendations for “social distancing,” and concern for all members of our community,” the NYTB said in a press release. “We realize that this cancellation is a disappointment, especially for the connections of our divisional championship nominees. This is also a disappointment for NYTB. This celebration of the racetrack achievements of the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Racing Program is a high point in our annual calendar. These are, however, extraordinary circumstances and the need to protect all members of our community is paramount.”