Protocols set for jockey colony

Jockeys based out of town will not be permitted to ride at the Belmont Park fall meet, while New York-based riders will be allowed to leave and return, provided they produce two negative COVID-19 tests in a five-day period, according to protocols announced Sunday by the New York Racing Association.

The Belmont Park fall meet will consist of 27 racing days from Sept. 18 through Nov. 1.

The protocols for Belmont represent a slight change from what was in place during the Saratoga meet, during which any rider who left Saratoga to ride elsewhere after the meet began was not permitted to return. A rider based out of town was not permitted to ride at Saratoga for the 40-day meet that is scheduled to end Monday.

In addition to having to produce two negative COVID-19 tests, a New York-based jockey who rides out of town would then be provided an isolated area for the additional calendar days upon returning.

For example, a New York rider who wanted to ride the Preakness Day card on Oct. 3 at Pimlico would be able to ride at Belmont beginning Oct. 9, provided he produces a negative COVID-19 test on Oct. 4 and Oct. 8.

The same rules would apply for a Belmont-based jockey who opted to ride a day at Keeneland during that meet.

Jockeys who have traveled outside of New York to compete at other tracks beginning the week of Aug. 31 also will be required to provide negative COVID-19 tests taken within the five-day window preceding the jockey’s first mount at Belmont Park.

Jockeys who have remained in New York and not competed at other tracks following the end of Saratoga’s meet must provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within a seven-day window preceding that rider’s first mount of the meet.

The Belmont fall condition book currently lists 17 journeyman and two apprentice riders who are designated members of the New York jockey colony. Jockeys and agent interested in being included in the NYRA colony may contact Martin Panza, NYRA’s senior vice president of racing operations, for consideration by Sept. 18.

As was the case during the Belmont spring meet, jockeys will not be permitted in the barn area during the fall meet. In order to work a horse in the morning, the jockey must meet the horse in the paddock.

Jockey agents seeking access to the barn area must produce a negative COVID-19 test.