Health and Safety

COVID-19 Health & Safety Update

UPDATE ON COVID-19 PREVENTION POLICY

Throughout the pandemic, The Stronach Group and our 1/ST business organizations (the “Company”) have prioritized the health and safety of employees, backstretch personnel, patrons, and the communities where we operate by implementing policies based on current scientific guidance to reduce COVID-19 risks.

As the nation transitions from pandemic to endemic status, public health guidance and community preventative measures are shifting.

Consistent with those developments, the Company is rescinding its COVID-19 Prevention Policy dated December 3, 2021, effective immediately.

This means our weekly testing programs and masking requirements are ending and paid leave to test for or be vaccinated or boosted against COVID-19 will no longer be provided (unless you are awaiting your second dose).

We will continue to hold vaccination and booster clinics because they remain the most effective way to protect against serious illness and death.

Employees may continue to wear masks at their option, and we strongly encourage you to do so while indoors, in large gatherings, and when interacting with people who are at high-risk of infection. Employees who choose to wear a mask are to be respected and supported, especially since many community members cannot be vaccinated and remain vulnerable to disease.

The protocol for anyone who is feeling sick is unchanged: please go home or stay home and do not come to work until you are asymptomatic and have obtained a negative COVID-19 test result.

We will continue to provide employees, backstretch personnel, and contractors with rapid tests upon request while our supplies last. Please contact Health and Safety or Human Resources Department for more information.

Thank you for your past cooperation with the COVID-19 Prevention Policy and ongoing support of the health and safety of all those who work at and enjoy our facilities.

Face coverings for patrons are now optional at Laurel Park. Maryland Jockey Club employees are required to wear face coverings indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

Effective Wednesday, February 23, 2022

FACEMASK REQUIRED
Following CDC recommendations face masks are required inside this facility REGARDLESS of vaccination status.
In order to best protect your health, please maintain at least 6' social distance at all times.

Effective Tuesday, September 7, 2021

THE SPECTATOR LIMIT AT THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB AT LAUREL PARK WILL NOW BE SET AT 400 AS WE WORK TOWARDS SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY ALLOWING MORE RACING FANS ON SITE WHILE ALSO ADHERING TO PHYSICAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES.

Effective Saturday, March 13, 2021.

THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB AT LAUREL PARK REOPENS TO LIMITED ONSITE VIEWING (250 SPECTATORS MAXIMUM).

Effective Friday, March 5, 2021.

IN RESPONSE TO CURRENT STATE COVID-19 HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS, THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB AT LAUREL PARK IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

Effective Friday, November 20, 2020. 

MJC SETS PROTOCOLS FOR COLONIAL DOWNS JOCKEYS

LAUREL, MD – The Maryland Jockey Club has set protocols for all jockeys who rode during the abbreviated meet at Colonial Downs.
 
Jockeys will be able to return to Laurel Park only after a 14-day quarantine period beginning Aug. 13 and a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours in hand.
 
The same protocols are in place for all dormitory residents who were at Colonial Downs.
 
Several jockeys who ride regularly at Laurel rode at Colonial before the meet was cancelled, including Trevor McCarthy, Forest Boyce, Charles Lopez, Jorge Ruiz and Avery Whisman.
 
MJC SETS RESTRICTION ON JOCKEY TRAVEL

LAUREL, MD - The Maryland Jockey Club announced today that beginning Friday, July 17, jockeys who enter another racetrack’s jockey quarters will not be permitted to ride in Maryland unless they self-quarantine for 14 days and obtain a negative COVID-19 test.

The health, safety and welfare of every person and every horse is always the top priority of the Maryland Jockey Club.

Jockeys outside the state of Maryland will not be allowed to work or gallop horses at Laurel Park or Pimlico Race Course. Jockeys located in Maryland who work or gallop horses outside the state will not be allowed to ride, gallop or work horses at Laurel or Pimlico unless they self-quarantine for 14 days and obtain a negative COVID-19 test.

Jockeys who have ridden outside Maryland this past week will have separate dressing rooms and quarters this weekend and will be monitored.

Racing at Laurel resumes Friday afternoon.

LAUREL TO BEGIN ACCEPTING OUT OF TOWN SHIPPERS JUNE 12

Owners Allowed to Watch Their Horses Race Starting Saturday
 
LAUREL, MD – Laurel Park will begin accepting out of town horses for its live race programs beginning Friday, June 12, the Maryland Jockey Club announced today.
 
Shippers coming in to Laurel may be accompanied by one trainer and one groom only, and must report to the track’s receiving barn.
 
Out of town jockeys are not yet allowed to ride in Maryland. Only those that competed during Laurel’s opening weekend May 30 to June 1 will be allowed to ride.
 
Starting with Laurel’s 10-race program Saturday, June 6, owners will be allowed on the track apron to watch their horse race while observing social distancing, but must leave the area once the race is over.
 

MARYLAND HORSEMEN RESUME RACING

LAUREL, MD - The Maryland Jockey Club announced today that it has received approval from the Maryland Racing Commission to resume live racing at Laurel Park effective Saturday, May 30. The Summer 2020 meet begins with three days of live racing running through to Monday, June 1. 
 
The Summer 2020 meet will be conducted under the industry’s most stringent health and safety protocols and Laurel Park will remain closed to the general public pending changes to the State’s further executive orders or guidance.
 
For more information on the Summer 2020 racing schedule please click here or visit Maryland Jockey Club on Facebook or @MarylandJockeyClub on Instagram and Twitter. 
 

STATEMENT FROM THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB ON LIVE RACING PAUSE

LAUREL, MD – "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. 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."

MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB MARCH 17 STATEMENT ON PREAKNESS 145

“Our first priority in these difficult times is the health and welfare of our industry participants and the public at large. We are working with state and local governments, our industry participants, media and other affiliates to determine the most appropriate time to conduct the Preakness Stakes. While we are mindful of the challenges these times present we also know that events like the Preakness Stakes can help restore our sense of place and economic well-being to our communities and state. As soon as we have further clarity on these matters we will inform all.”

INFORMATION FOR MEDIA COVERING 1/ST RACING
 
In the best interest of protecting the health and welfare of the horsemen and women, officials and staff, special media credentials will be required to cover live racing from The Stronach Group tracks. 
 
A limited number of deadline media with pre-approved credentials will be permitted access to cover the event.  The credentials will be issued through the respective track media offices. 
 
Previously issued seasonal credentials are not valid at this time.
 
Media issued special press credentials, including TVG employees and still photographers, are not allowed access to the stable during this time to mitigate the risk of exposure to COVID-19 to the specialized population who care for the horses.  Their health our top concern.
 
We thank you and appreciate your continued commitment to covering the sport of Thoroughbred racing and look forward to welcoming everyone back soon.
 

MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE LAUREL PARK, PIMLICO AND ROSECROFT RACEWAY TO THE PUBLIC IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19; 

RACES TO CONTINUE WITH LICENSED PERSONNEL

LAUREL, MD - With the utmost regard for the safety and well-being of our customers and employees and in following the best available guidance from local and international health authorities, the Maryland Jockey Club will temporarily close Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course and Rosecroft Raceway to the public effective immediately.
 
The Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park and Rosecroft Raceway will continue live racing as scheduled with personnel licensed by the Maryland Racing Commission in attendance which will provide our fans at home with the opportunity to stay connected via our 1/ST BET and Xpressbet apps.
 
We will continue to monitor the situation and will look forward to welcoming our fans and guests again soon.