NYRA delays Saratoga stabling, training

The opening of the stable area and Oklahoma training track in Saratoga, scheduled for April 15, will be delayed indefinitely the New York Racing Association announced Wednesday, owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the 2008 franchise agreement with the state, NYRA is required to “maintain and operate” the Oklahoma training track from April 15-Nov. 1 each year, subject to weather conditions. NYRA received permission from the New York State Gaming Commission to delay the opening of the Oklahoma track.

McKenna said the delay of the opening of the Saratoga backside does not affect NYRA’s plans to conduct racing at Saratoga beginning July 16.

“While we are monitoring the current conditions and consulting with the New York State Department of Health, we are planning for Saratoga to open as scheduled and run in its entirety across the 40-day meet,” McKenna said. “We are working in earnest each and every day to prepare for the 2020 Saratoga season.”

Also, NYRA has yet to open Belmont Park’s main track for training. It typically opens the main track in early April, approximately three weeks before the meet opens. Training at Belmont is currently done exclusively on the training track, except on Sundays, when there is no training permitted.

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