Aqueduct Suspends Races After Worker Tests Positive for Coronavirus

The New York Racing Association suspended horse racing at Aqueduct Racetrack this weekend after a worker who cared for the animals tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday morning.

The association had hoped to conduct racing this weekend with no fans, as it did last weekend. The backstretch worker, who lives at Belmont Park, a track about 9 miles from Aqueduct, had been quarantined since Friday after showing symptoms of the virus. His roommate was quarantined as well, according to the association, which operates both tracks.

“This individual and his roommate have been in isolation since prior to racing last Friday and as such did not travel to Aqueduct for live racing,” Dave O’Rourke, the association’s chief executive, said in a statement. “We are working with the county and state departments of health to ensure proper quarantine and sterilization practices will continue to be followed moving forward.”

The association said it would decide later when to resume racing at Aqueduct. Belmont Park, where the worker lives, is out of season and not running races.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/sports/horse-racing/aqueduct-coronavirus.html