Spectators starting April 23 will be permitted to attend horse races at New York tracks, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced April 14.
The governor's new COVID-19 pandemic guidance will restrict tracks to not admit any more than 20% of a track's capacity, a level many struggling tracks in New York—except Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park during its annual Triple Crown stakes day—haven't seen in decades.
The lifting of the attendance ban also affects auto racing events. It comes after the New York Racing Association, its tracks closed to fans since last June 3, has been pressing the Cuomo administration to let spectators back onto tracks. The governor had previously relaxed COVID-19 attendance bans for a number of sports, including indoor NBA games and outdoor major league baseball games, and racing officials sought to convince the Cuomo administration that racing—outdoors on huge footprints of land—are safer destinations than other sports facilities.
NYRA has been especially worried about the spectator ban in advance of the June 5 Belmont Stakes (G1). The Cuomo decision April 13 means at least 20% of Belmont Park will have fans in the stands, and it is uncertain if the attendance floor could be raised before the annual Saratoga meet this summer.
"The New York Racing Association looks forward to welcoming fans back to Belmont Park this spring and to Saratoga Race Course this summer," stated NYRA president and CEO David O'Rourke on Wednesday. "We thank Gov. Cuomo for the opportunity to host fans at our historic tracks for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
"We will announce ticketing options for fans once we further review the guidelines and protocols set forth for Thoroughbred tracks in New York state.
"NYRA has dearly missed the passion and excitement that fans bring to the sport of Thoroughbred racing. Today's announcement by the governor is one more indication that we are collectively moving toward a return to normalcy."
Cuomo made the racing announcement on a telephone conference call with reporters Wednesday afternoon; earlier in the day, he went to Belmont Park, but it was to discuss COVID-19 issues and promote a new New York Islanders arena on the grounds of Belmont that is set to open this fall.
