Yonkers: Racing cancelled Tuesday due to COVID-19 fears

It was reported earlier today by the DRF Harness Twitter account that SOA of New York Director John Brennan became the first victim of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) from New Jersey and that the track has cancelled live racing for Tuesday (March 10).

According to a Facebook post by Harness Racing Update, the closure at the track was out of an abundance of caution that others at the track may have contracted the flu-like virus. The story adds that SOA President Joe Faraldo has also spiked a fever and fears he may have the virus as well.

Brennan, 69, was a mainstay in the Yonkers raceway paddock as a representative of the SOA. A native of Rockaway Beach, NY, he trained horses for more than 40 years and was part-owner and trainer of 2003 Yonkers Trot winner Sugar Trader, who also finished second in the Hambletonian.

No further information on whether Yonkers would reopen on Thursday for live racing was made available, but the track did say they will conduct the draw for March 16 & 17 on Thursday.