Source: Three dates still possible for Preakness
The Preakness Stakes could still be run on one of three dates this summer or fall.
The Maryland Jockey Club and NBC Sports have set aside three possible dates, a person with knowledge of negotiations said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday.
The NBC affiliate in Baltimore reported the Preakness will be run Oct. 3. The person tells The AP that is one of the three possible dates, along with one each in July and August.
Maryland Jockey Club president Sal Sinatra says officials are still working with NBC Sports on rescheduling the race, which would have been run May 16. That date was scratched by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Andretti, Ganassi commit to new series
Andretti Autosport and Chip Ganassi Racing are the first two American teams to commit to a new electric SUV off-road racing series scheduled to begin in 2021.
The Extreme E series has five events planned in what the league is calling “some of the most remarkable, remote and severely damaged locations on the planet.” The schedule calls for 6-miles courses in Kangerlussuaq in Greenland, the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, Al-Ula in Saudi Arabia, the Nepalese Himalayas and Lac Rose near Dakar, Senegal.
The areas selected for competition were chosen because of existing climate issues including rising carbon emissions, global warming and melting Arctic ice, rising sea levels, droughts and desertification, deforestation, plastic pollution and more.
Teams are expected to receive an Odyssey 21 E-SUV in late October and group testing of the vehicles is to begin shortly after.
Golden Gate Fields to resume live racing
LOS ANGELES » Golden Gate Fields will resume live horse racing on May 14 after receiving provisional approval from public health officials in Northern California.
The track in Berkeley temporarily suspended racing on April 2 at the order of Alameda County public health officials in response to the coronavirus.
Racing will resume at Golden Gate without spectators. Protocols are still being finalized with county officials and will be released in the coming days, along with the schedule of races.
Casse among 7 elected to Racing Hall
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Trainer Mark Casse has more than $174 million in purse earnings, has captured two legs of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, and has been honored as Canadian trainer of the year a record 11 times.
And now, election to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
“It’s unbelievable. It’s very emotional for me,” Casse said via telephone day from his farm in Ocala, Florida.
The 59-year-old Casse, a native of Indianapolis, obtained his trainer’s license in Massachusetts at age 17 and saddled his first winner at Keeneland in April 1979. He has since trained Eclipse Award winners Classic Empire, Shamrock Rose, Tepin, and World Approval.