Laurel Park to prohibit shippers

The restrictions on who can be at Laurel Park keep getting tighter — but at least for now, the show will go on.
The Maryland Jockey Club announced Thursday, via a text message system it jointly manages with the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, that going forward, only horses stabled on the grounds at Laurel, or at Pimlico Race Course, will be allowed in the Laurel stable area.
That means no shippers, and the text indicated that any previously entered for Friday or Saturday’s cards will be scratched. Entries for Sunday are drawn on Thursday.
Those decisions are the latest in a series of moves the MJC has made in recent days in response to the coronavirus emergency. Last weekend, the track raced without fans, and this weekend the ban has been expanded to include owners. Only so-called “essential racing personnel” will be allowed on the grounds.
The MJC also announced that the racing office — typically a popular gathering spot — would be closed except to staff.
Also on Thursday, the MJC announced that all trainers and jockeys arriving for their races “will have their temperature taken by a health professional upon entering the horsemen’s gate.” Trainers must leave the grounds as soon as their final horse of the day has run.
Jockeys, meanwhile, are not allowed in the jocks’ room until 12 noon.
Given the changes — which may put a squeeze on entries — the Maryland Thoroughbred Horseme’s Association Board of Directors has announced that, though current purse levels remain in place for the time being, it unanimously voted to reduce the 4% purse bonus for horses that place fifth through last to 2%, effective immediately. Going forward, fifth-place will receive 3% and sixth through last will be 2%.
LATEST MARYLAND NEWS
April Midlantic stakes schedule
Which stakes are taking place this month around the Mid-Atlantic? Answers within.
Op-ed: Time to modernize the condition book
Modernizing the condition book with 21st-century technology could be a cause that unites horsemen and management — and is long overdue.
Laurel Park: Latest jockey and trainer stats
Which Laurel Park jockeys and trainers are having a good meet? Who’s doing better than you’d think? Or heating up now? Answers within.
Midlantic-breds to tackle Wood Memorial, other Big A stakes
Horses bred in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania will tackle Saturday’s Wood Memorial, Carter, and other Aqueduct stakes.
National Thoroughbred League to head to Pimlico, Parx
The National Thoroughbred League will bring its “horse team” concept to Pimlico the week before the Preakness and then to Parx.
Laurel: Discreet Ops returns running to take feature
Four-year-old Discreet Ops returned from a two-month break with a flourish to snap a nine-race losing streak and take Laurel Park’s Sunday feature.