NYRA, Cuomo and 10%
 

It looks like the NYRA tracks could be partially open to fans if NYRA chooses to do so. Who knows, it could be even more than 10% of capacity for Saratoga if the numbers continue improving.

I really hope they open Belmont. Belmont is huge, wide open, and doesn't draw large crowds most days as it is. It would be really nice to enjoy my retirement sitting out back enjoying a spring day at Belmont like I intended.

Bring your negative Covid test papers with you...

That requirement would be problematical because no one is going to go for a Covid test every few days just to go to the track regularly. That might be OK at Saratoga for vacationers going up for s single weekend, but not regulars. They'll just sit at home and bet.

I'm not sure why that would be necessary though. It's one thing to maybe require it at Madison Square Garden because it's a closed facility. But Belmont could hardly be more open and spaced. I went to Belmont a few times as an owner since this all started and thought they handled it really well. IMO, they should do what they are doing with masks etc.. and they'd be fine. Belmont is not going to get to 10% capacity except on a big weekend stakes days anyway. So maybe they can tweak something for a day like that. It's just not an issue at Belmont. It's probably going to be more of a political thing than a health risk thing.

Thought this was going to be about takeout. :(

Not at 10%

Hey - there's the Canterbury Pick-5 at 10%, so we can always hold out hope!!!!!!

:)

:lol:.


Class - I have no idea of what the current plans are, or the various considerations that weigh upon planning. I'm rooting for you to get some Belmont Spring time. :ThmbUp:

That’s my retirement dream. And this point I’d settle for seeing live racing.

Even pre-COVID I enjoyed the track BECAUSE OF the built-in social distancing, LOL.

98% of the tracks wouldn't need to institute any sort of measures to enforce social distancing lol. NYRA tracks are a pleasant exception.

Lone Star park has a pretty nice casino style setting that would be packed on Friday night, Saturday-Sunday too. It’s one of the things I miss about living in Dallas. I bet this Covid is killing them

Wasn't there something about the sporting venues needing the proper high level air filters or something of that nature in order to open for indoor spectators, and that was possibly going to hold up AQU having fans attend? My question going forward though is with the entirety of the Belmont & Saratoga grandstands being outdoors, will they be able to easily get around such restrictions and have capacity at an outdoor level event when those meets come around?



Also, I imagine having a negative COVID test result won't do you any good, but I wonder if we get to a point where having your vaccination card will count for something. Maybe fill the clubhouse to capacity with those fully vaccinated, spread out in the grandstand if not.

Article about it..

https://saratogaliving.com/saratoga-...cent-capacity/



Though NYRA has not put out a statement, and did not immediately respond to Saratoga Living‘s request for comment, Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park were included in lists of New York venues that should be able to reopen (along with Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden and the Carrier Dome) published by ESPN and syracuse.com.

If attendance at tracks is still held at 10% when Saratoga opens, that place will be harder to score tickets at than a playoff game.

I think that depends on whether you have to show proof of a negative test within a few days. If I don't feel well or think I've been in contact with someone that's positive, I'll go for a test. I'm not going for a test to go to a wide open well spaced outdoor racetrack unless Seattle Slew is facing Affirmed in a rematch. If the vaccination rollout is very successful, maybe proof of vaccination will work better, but that's not a great solution either. The closed areas should be treated differently than the racetracks.

Saturdays and maybe some Fridays, yea, it would be tough if they hold to the 10% rule.