Share
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the world of sports, with horse racing and betting being no exception. Many horse racing and sports betting events have either been postponed or will only be held without an audience present.
While the sport of kings is in a state of disarray, Play USA readers can expect this list to keep them abreast of all cancellations, and events tabbed to proceed. States omitted are those without thoroughbred racing tracks.
Tracks and online horse betting apps generally take wagers on races outside of the US, as well.
3/25 Update: Races at the Aqueduct Racetrack have been suspended through April 5. The racetrack reversed course on its decision to hold spectator-free races on March 19, citing health and safety concerns for those in the horse racing community.
Two more prominent racetracks will cease operations during the Coronavirus outbreak. Churchill Downs Incorporated today announced the temporary suspension of live racing at Miami Valley Raceway in Ohio and Fair Grounds Race Course in Louisiana. Fair Grounds, based in New Orleans, had just hosted the Louisiana Derby on Saturday.
Live horse racing will be more accessible to national viewers starting this weekend, as NBCSN and TVG partnered to air Trackside Live. This program will feature action from racetracks across the country.
Arizona
The Turf Paradise racetrack on Saturday announced the cancellation of its season due to the Coronavirus.
Arkansas
Horse racing continued at Oaklawn Park on March 14, as Nadal won the Rebel Stakes. The racetrack has since announced that it will hold races without spectators through March 30.
California
Races at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia will proceed without an audience. The prominent California course played host to the San Luis Rey Stakes on March 21.
Colorado
As of this writing, it’s unclear whether Arapahoe Park – the state’s only active racetrack- will hold events at the start of its season on May 23.
Delaware
As of this writing, it’s unclear whether Delaware Park – the state’s only active racetrack- will hold events at the start of its season on May 27.
Florida
Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach will hold horse racing events that are closed to the public. The Florida Derby is scheduled to take place at Gulfstream on March 28.
The Tampa Bay Downs conducted races without spectators on March 18.
Illinois
While it’s unclear whether Arlington International Racecourse will be in operation for its opening day on May 1, the venue has canceled several other events this month.
Fairmount Park held a full slate of spectator-free races on March 17. The park and its OTBs will remain closed to the public through March 30.
Hawthorne Race Course has ceased all live races through March 30.
Indiana
Each of Indiana’s racetracks, Hoosier Park and Indiana Grand, announced plans to close for a two-week period starting March 16.
Iowa
The racetrack at Prairie Meadows was shut down on March 16, along with the property’s casino and hotel. The course is next scheduled to hold races on May 1.
Kentucky
The 2020 Spring Race at Keeneland has been canceled, the racetrack announced Monday. The race, which was to be held from April 2-24, generated over $16 million in handle last year.
The 146th Kentucky Derby has been moved to September 5, Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen said Tuesday. This postponement represents the latest blow the sporting world has absorbed from the Coronavirus pandemic.
Turfway Park hosted the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks on March 14, which was won by Field . The park announced it will continue holding races through the spring and winter without spectators.
Louisiana
The Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans will hold spectator-free races, including the Louisiana Derby on March 21. The Louisiana Derby will be aired nationally on the NBCSN network. As of March 23, the Fair Grounds Race Course will temporarily suspend all live races. The venue’s on-site OTB, Pari-Mutuel, and slots facilities are closed, though off-Site OTBs remain open.
Maryland
The Laurel Park racetrack on Friday announced its intention to hold fan-free events. Laurel Park has since hosted the Harrison E. Johnson Memorial Stakes and Nellie Morse Stakes, won by Senior Investment and Arrifana, respectively.
Massachusetts
The Suffolk Downs racetrack announced plans to suspend on-track operations from March 15 through at least April 2nd.
Michigan
The Northville Downs racetrack will be closed through at least March 30.
Minnesota
The Canterbury Park racetrack announced plans to suspend operations starting on March 16.
Nebraska
Fonner Park announced the suspension of its season Monday. The racetrack’s most recent contests were held Sunday.
New Jersey
Each of the state’s racetracks – Meadowlands and Monmouth Park – announced plans to suspend operations on March 16. Meadowlands pledged to provide updates when available, and Monmouth Park updated its opening day to May 23.
New Mexico
The Sunland Derby, which was to be held at Sunland Park Racetrack on March 22, was canceled due to Coronavirus concerns. The racetrack announced it would take a three-week sabbatical starting on March 16.
New York
Events at Aqueduct Racetrack will proceed, albeit behind closed doors. Aqueduct’s races can be found here, and will air nationwide on FS1 and FS2. As of March 20, live events at Aqueduct have been suspended indefinitely.
As of this writing, it’s unclear whether Belmont Park will hold races for its opening day on April 24.
The Finger Lakes racetrack will be closed until further notice.
As of this writing, it’s unclear whether Saratoga Race Course will hold races for its opening day on July 16.
North Dakota
As of this writing, it’s unclear whether North Dakota Horse Park will hold races for its season opening in July.
Ohio
Belterra Park in Cincinnati has been closed until further notice.
The Mahoning Valley Race Course has scheduled live racing without spectators for March 17. The facility will otherwise be closed to the public.
The Thistledown Racino has temporarily closed its doors. It remains to be seen whether the course will hold races for its opening day on April 29.
As of March 23, races at the Miami Valley Racetrack have been temporarily suspended. The racetrack said this will continue through at least March 27.
Oklahoma
The Remington Park racetrack will continue hosting spectators for live races with enhanced safety measures.
Oregon
The Portland Meadows racetrack temporarily closed.
Pennsylvania
Parx Racing said its racetrack will be “temporarily closed until further notice.” This applies to its Bensalem location, the South Philadelphia Race & Sportsbook, and the Oaks Race & Sportsbook.
Texas
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie announced plans to close doors from March 16 through March 31.
Retama Park in Selma has canceled or postponed all live events. It remains to be seen whether the racetrack will hold events on its July 3rd opening day.
Sam Houston Race Park will continue its live racing program without spectators.
Virginia
The Colonial Downs racetrack closed on March 15 and will remain so through the 30.
Washington
The Emerald Downs racetrack said it would be closed to the public in a statement released March 12. As of this writing, it’s unclear whether the racetrack will hold spectator-free races in 2020.
West Virginia
The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has maintained live racing, completing races as recently as March 14. Play USA will relay any updates to the course’s 2020 schedule.
The racetrack at Mountaineer Casino has taken proactive safety measures in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, but none have interrupted the venue’s racing schedule. The venue’s next live race is scheduled for April 26.
Wyoming
As of this writing, it’s unclear whether the Wyoming Downs racetrack will hold races on its opening weekend in July.
