COVID-19 Update: Mar. 20

[Wandering Eyes]

Officials at the Maryland Jockey Club announced the cancellation of Friday’s scheduled live racing program at Laurel Park and will pause racing indefinitely following an executive order from the office of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.

“In accordance with the Maryland Governor’s Executive Orders and as part of the continuing effort to protect the health and safety of essential personnel and the horses they care for, the Maryland Jockey Club will temporarily pause live racing at Laurel Park and Rosecroft Raceway,” read a statement. “Our top priority is the well-being of every person and every horse in our community and we look forward to resuming when the state and federal leaders and health authorities deem it appropriate to do so.”

The fluidity of the coronavirus situation has been very much on display in Maryland. The MJC announced the closure to the public of Laurel, Pimlico and Rosecroft Raceway Mar. 12 and went forward with spectator-free racing Mar. 13 and a four-stakes card Mar. 14. The following day, Hogan ordered the closure of Maryland’s six casinos, racetracks and simulcast facilities, effective Monday, Mar. 16. Despite that announcement, the MJC sought clarification and gained permission to continue racing with Friday’s program with strict protocols in place.

In other news from the state, Country Life Farm announced that it would be closing to visitors and owners, but that it continues to accept ship-ins for breeding and that training is taking place on the farm, owing to “a fairly self-contained workforce who live on site.”

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