Racing News

Tarmac and Racebook Re-opening Sunday August 1, 2021

Important Notice: Spectators will be allowed back on the tarmac for Live Racing on Sunday August 1, 2021. The Racebook will also be re-opening for SIMULCASTING on August 1, 2021 (limit of 20 people). Free PDF PROGRAMS are available for download and the races can be watched online via LIVE VIDEO. Georgian Downs is also available for wagering through HPIBET.COM and via all of its simulcast partners locations worldwide.

The racing season continues through July and August 2021. Post times are Tuesdays and Saturdays: 7:15 p.m ; Sundays: 6:00 p.m.

Training days are Thursday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon and continue through to the end of August. Qualifiers are scheduled for Saturdays at 5:30 p.m.

Ontario Racing Enhanced Racing Covid Protocols (as of July 12, 2021)

Georgian Downs will be conducting live racing under strict COVID-19 racing protocols. These base protocols have been developed in collaboration with our horse people associations, public health officials, Ontario Racing and our various governing bodies. All personnel, including Owners, Trainers, Drivers and Grooms, attending Georgian Downs Racetrack are required to ask themselves the following questions prior to entering the property and confirm this action via EITHER ONE of these two forms:

1. QR code within this PDF document: GD Racing Protocols
2. Online questionnaire: https://questionnaire.simplesurvey.com/f/s.aspx?s=544a5b8a-1ac2-46dd-b4cc-8d2dd27e3bbe

1. Are you sick, ill and/or have any symptoms related to COVID-19?
Note: The Government of Ontario has identified the following as COVID-19 related symptoms: fever or chills, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, coughing, sore throat, trouble swallowing, runny/stuffy nose or nasal congestion, decrease or loss of smell or taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, not feeling well, extreme tiredness, and/or sore muscles.

2. Have you been instructed by local health authorities to self-isolate/quarantine due to travel, contact history or are part of a household of increased risk for COVID-19?
(i.e. you live with someone who is currently experiencing new COVID-19 symptoms, travelled with increased risk and/or is waiting for test results after experiencing symptoms). If the below exemption applies to you, please answer “No” to this question.

*Exemption: If you are fully vaccinated (it has been 14 or more days since your final dose of either a two-dose or a one-dose vaccine series), the self-isolate/quarantine requirements in question 2 may not apply. Please consult your local health authority website or use the provincial workplace screening tool: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/screening/worker/ to be sure what exemptions apply to your specific scenario or contact 1-866-797-0000 if you have questions on your specific circumstances.

As per the signage in place, if you answer “YES” to ANY of the questions above - do NOT enter the building. You must return home immediately (avoiding public transit). You are to contact your provincial health authority at 1-866-797-0000 for further guidance and requirements, and notify your manager or supervisor immediately.
If you answer “NO” to ALL of the above questions, perform hand hygiene and follow the requirements outlined in the Site-Specific COVID-19 Prevention and Control Plan for building entry.

Access to the Paddock:
• Only essential personnel for the conduct of training, qualifiers or live racing will be granted access into the backstretch perimeter as determined by posted security personnel.
• There will be the only one point of entry for all racetrack Staff, Regulatory Officials and Racing Participants.
• Only Trainers with an entry will be permitted, unless entering a claim that night. Each entry shall have a maximum of one handler.
• No one under the age of 16 shall be permitted in the paddock.

Post times to be communicated from Race Office. Races will be spaced at a minimum of 25-minute intervals. All horses must report to the Paddock as prescribed by the rules of racing as published by the AGCO. Access will only be granted after a mandatory pre-screening that will include:
• Presentation of applicable AGCO credentials.
• Evidence of a temperature below 100.5 degrees determined by a No Touch Forehead Thermometer.
• Evidence of possession of a personal protective face mask.
• Evidence of possession of a functioning mobile phone device.
• Satisfactory completion of a Covid questionnaire/active screening.
• Providing participants name, e-mail/phone contact.

While in the Paddock:
Racing participants are instructed to get in and get out quickly and efficiently. Horses shall be placed in the paddock to ensure physical distancing is being practiced and all available paddock space will be utilized as well as adjacent stall areas. Masks are mandatory at all times, medical masks recommended for Racing Participants. It is strongly recommended Racing Participants also wear gloves when coming into contact with frequently touched areas such as water taps, cross ties and door latches.

• Given the warmer weather, racetracks should keep entrance doors and windows open for ventilation purposes.
• Handlers of all horses must ensure they are keeping the appropriate distance from other handlers of horses in their respective areas.
• All horses and associated handlers must leave the paddock half an hour following their race, unless the handler is tending to horses in a later race. Horses who have been post-race tested may leave the paddock 45 minutes following their race.
• The drivers locker room, lounge and showers shall remain closed. Drivers are to wear face masks, gloves and social distance at all times, except when racing. Upon the completion of the driver’s last race of the day, he/she should leave the paddock immediately after notifying the Paddock Judge.
• All Communications should be carried out electronically where possible to limit in person contact. There shall be no loitering in or around the entrance to the paddock, all COVID-19 protocols on physical distancing shall be adhered to.
• The AGCO judge’s office in the backstretch will be closed. Contact with the AGCO Judges during a live event will only be through individual mobile phones.
• Shared communication devices are prohibited. In person communication with racing participants will be at the discretion of the designated AGCO judge.
• Paddock kitchens will not be available.
• The Paddock shall be disinfected after each racing, qualifying & training day. Sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the Paddock.

 Lasix and CPMA Test Barn Procedures:
• There shall be no loitering in or at the entrance to the test area.
• For pre-race Lasix all handlers must either be outside in an open area practicing physical distancing or waiting in their vehicle until it is time for their horse to report to the Paddock to race.
• Following each race, 2 horses shall be tested. Blood shall be drawn on all test horses after 40 minutes if the horse is unable to provide a urine sample. Track security personnel shall be stationed outside of the test area to ensure all horses and their handlers are entering and exiting the test area in an appropriate fashion.
• Security will also supply anyone entering the test barn a new mask.
• Physical distancing to be practiced at all times. When entering the test barn with a horse, attend the opposite side of the horse away from the technician or follow other local protocols in place.
• Remain vigilant and respectful of the Racing Forensic Technicians at all times.
• Hands sanitized on the way in and way out of the test area.

Track Maintenance/Starting Gate Vehicles:
• All maintenance vehicle cabins are to be disinfected at the start and end of each use.
• No vehicle will accommodate more than one operator and no employee will crossover any assigned vehicle for that event.
• The starting gate vehicle shall be sanitized and cleaned daily.
• Where there is a passenger either in the back seat or passenger seat of the starting gate, a plexi-glass partition shall be installed to maintain proper segregation from the starting gate driver.
• All track vehicle operators will wear medical masks at all times.
• Access to the track maintenance area is strictly prohibited to anyone other than the track maintenance personnel.

Positive Covid Test:
In the event that the racetrack becomes aware that a person who has tested positive for COVID has attended the track, the track in consultation with Public Health will notify all employees and participants who may have been exposed to the affected individual. The track will ensure that the infected person does not re-enter the premises until the person is able to provide evidence of a negative test and clearance from a doctor to return to work. All individuals with potential contact with an infected individual will need to provide evidence of a negative test.

·Download a PDF version of these protocols: GD Racing Protocols

Horses at the start

Legend

 Date  Key  Headline
July 25 2021 SC Desperate Man, Second Bruiser Prevail In OSS
July 24 2021 SC Five For Harris; "Jessie" Prevails
July 18 2021 SC Millar Farm Fillies Strike In Gold
July 17 2021 SC Fillies Put On Speed Show
July 11 2021 SC Esquire Scores Georgian Upset
July 10 2021 SC Ivana Flyebye First At Georgian
July 7 2021 SC Grassroots Mania At Georgian
July 6 2021 SC Pedro Powers To Preferred Win
July 5 2021 SC Sicario Survives To Score At Georgian
July 4 2021 SC Manhattan Night Motors At Georgian
June 29 2021 SC Preferred Repeat For Bee Two Bee
June 27 2021 SC Jumpshot Jolts Georgian Tote
June 26 2021 SC Sly Eleanor Swift At Georgian
June 22 2021 SC Bee Two Bee Bolts In Georgian Preferred
June 20 2021 SC Northern Royale Rolls At Georgian
June 19, 2021 SC Sly Eleanor Slides Home At Georgian
June 15, 2021 SC Pretty Handsome Pops At Georgian