Georgian Downs is excited to announce that live harness racing will return to the Barrie area oval on Saturday, June 6.
The racing season will remain unchanged from last season with first race post time on Tuesdays and Saturdays set for 7:15 p.m. Sunday will also remain unchanged and will go postward at 6:00 p.m.
Training days will be Thursday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon beginning Thursday, May 28 and continue through to the end of August. Qualifiers will once again be scheduled for Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. The only exception to the qualifying schedule will be on Saturday, May 30. Qualifiers will begin at 10:00 a.m. on this day.
Important Notice: Although spectators will not be permitted to attend our live racing at Georgian Downs, fans are invited to take in all the excitement that Georgian Downs has to offer by watching its live streaming video at georgiandowns.com. Free programs are also available on its website. Georgian Downs will be available for wagering through hpibet.com as well as all of its simulcast partners locations worldwide.
Return to Racing 2020 - Ontario Racing
COVID-19 Georgian Downs Protocol Minimum Standards
Georgian Downs encourages the horsepeople coming to Georgian Downs in 2020 to familiarize themselves with the following protocols that have been put in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of team members and racing participants:
The Ontario Racing tracks are committed to keeping Ontario’s racing participants safe and healthy. In order to conduct live racing in the province without spectators and minimize any potential concerns with respect to the health and welfare of participants in the sport, the following minimum standards will apply to all persons who require access to the backstretch and/or paddock of any Ontario racetrack.
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Access to the backstretch/paddock will be limited to essential personnel who are AGCO-licensed. No persons under the age of 16 will be permitted access to the backstretch/paddock, regardless of whether such persons hold an AGCO license.
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All participants must wear face masks at all times when in the backstretch/paddock. Persons requesting access are required to bring their own face masks and wear same at all times. No person without a face mask will be permitted entry. Any person found on track premises without wearing a face mask will be ejected from the track.
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Each person entering the track premises will be subject to a screening process prior to be granted entry. As part of the screening process, all participants must answer the following questions:
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Have you or someone you have come in contact with travelled or returned from any country outside of Canada?
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Are you experiencing, or have you experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 7 days:
a. Fever
b. Cough
c. Muscle Aches and Tiredness
d. Difficulty Breathing -
Have you been in contact with anyone who is or has experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 7 days:
a. Fever
b. Cough
c. Muscle Aches and Tiredness
d. Difficulty Breathing -
Have you or someone you have come in contact with travelled or returned from any United States Racetrack or Racing Association in the past 21 days?
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Are you aware that washing your hands multiple times per day and before eating and practicing proper social distancing guidelines are the most important ways to stop the spread of the Coronavirus? Please use our hand washing stations upon entering the cafeteria areas, dorms and at every opportunity through any of the washrooms located throughout the backstretch and maintain a safe distance from others at all times.
Any person who answers “yes” to any of questions 1 – 3, or who is displaying visible signs of illness consistent with COVID-19 exposure, will be denied access to the track.
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Persons who answer “no” to all of questions 1 – 3 will be subject to a temperature check using a no-touch thermometer. Persons with a temperature of less than 100.5F will be permitted to enter; persons with a temperature of 100.5F or more will be denied access to the track.
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Each track will ensure that handwashing and/or sanitization stations and/or equipment are available to all persons attending the track.
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Each track will implement enhanced cleaning procedures.
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Each track will ensure that physical distancing guidelines are in place. Personnel will be required to maintain a physical distance between them of not less than 2 metres. Only 1 person shall be permitted in the paddock per horse, and horses should be placed in every other stall in the paddock where possible/required. Horses/handlers should vacate the paddock within ½ hour of race completion.
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Access to the retention area will be controlled and horse people will be required to comply with CPMA requirements.
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Each track will ensure that these requirements are communicated to its personnel and participants.
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If tracks cannot provide change facilities that include the opportunity for adequate social distancing, the drivers and warm up personnel will be required to change outside backstretch/paddock areas.
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All persons within the backstretch/paddock areas are required to follow all directional arrows outlining proper flow for best social distancing practices.
Georgian Downs is forward to a safe return of horse racing in Ontario.
(Georgian)