#US RACING: COVID-19 cases in stable area halts racing at Golden Gate Fields

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS

Because of positive coronavirus tests in the stable area, racing at Golden Gate Fields was suspended through the weekend by order of the City of Berkeley, two trainers said Friday.

“We’ve got some positive COVID tests,” Eddie Rich told HRN. “They’re in the barn area. I don’t know who. That’s all I’ve heard.”

Rich and fellow trainer Ellen Jackson said horses were already in the receiving barn when the suspension announcement was made 20 minutes before Friday’s first race.

“The city is the one that shut it down. It wasn’t racetrack management,” Jackson said.

There was no immediate confirmation available from the Public Health Department for the City of Berkeley. Track spokesman and announcer Matt Dinerman posted a notice on Twitter that “racing today at @GGFracing has been canceled. That’s the only info I can provide you at this time.”

Although the suspension is apparently indefinite, Jackson said entries were being taken for races next week, although that does not necessarily mean that they will take place.

At the onset of the pandemic, Golden Gate Fields had been shut down April 2 on orders from Alameda County. It was not allowed to resume racing until May 14. It has gone without spectators for any race since.

Because of this latest suspension, the Santa Anita racing office sent out a mass text saying that “anyone coming from Golden Gate Fields must provide a negative test before coming onto the grounds at Santa Anita or San Luis Rey Downs.” All three properties are owned by The Stronach Group.

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