SoCal simulcast locations resuming operations

The Southern California simulcasting network is slowly resuming business after being forced to close earlier this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Hollywood Park’s satellite facility resumed simulcasting on June 22, while Santa Anita reopened Friday. Los Alamitos announced Saturday that it will reopen for simulcasting on July 6, but only for daytime racing.

Los Alamitos will be closed to spectators for the final week of the daytime Thoroughbred meeting from Thursday through Sunday and for the year-round evening meeting of Quarter Horse and lower-level Thoroughbred racing.

A track executive said government officials have allowed simulcast facilities to reopen, but have not allowed racetracks to reopen for spectators throughout the state.

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Del Mar will open its popular summer meeting on July 10 without an ontrack audience. Track officials are hoping that the government will relax its policies in coming weeks to allow owners to attend. The Del Mar summer season ends Sept. 7.

Los Alamitos will conduct simulcasting in its grandstand on a daily basis beginning at 9:30 a.m. and at Burgart’s restaurant on weekends.

Customers will be subject to temperature screening, must wear face coverings, and follow social-distancing protocols, the track said in a statement.

Santa Anita is holding simulcasting from Thursdays through Sundays, beginning at 10 a.m. daily. The track is requiring customers to wear face coverings and follow social-distancing guidelines.

There is no food and drink service at Santa Anita, according to a statement on its website. Customers are allowed to bring food and drink, but no alcohol or glass containers, the statement said.

In addition to those racetracks, a network of mini-satellites at sports bars, card clubs, and a few Native American casinos in Southern California have reopened in recent weeks.