Presque Isle Downs plans to open 2020 meet on July 27

Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa., is planning to reopen for live racing on July 27, the head of the state’s horsemen’s group said Tuesday.

Presque Isle, owned by Churchill Downs Inc., has been closed all year due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But officials for the track’s parent company informed the Pennsylvania Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association that the reopening is now set for the last Monday in July, with racing set to take place, tentatively, on a three-day per week schedule, according to Todd Mostoller, executive director of the Penn HBPA, through at least the end of October.

Mostoller said that horsemen were hoping for the track to open on July 20, but the artificial racing surface on the main track will need some maintenance prior to the meet opening, which led to the July 27 date. Presque Isle has been closed all year for training, and horsemen are hopeful that the stable area will be open July 8, Mostoller said.

If it opens as planned, Presque Isle would be the third Thoroughbred track in the state to reopen since the COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread shutdowns across the United States. Penn National in Grantville opened last Friday, while Parx Racing opened Monday.

Pennsylvania’s reopening plans are determined by a color-coded system applied to counties. Last week, Erie County was designated a “green” zone, which allows businesses to conduct operations as long as specific protocols have been reviewed and approved by state health officials.