| OPINION |
Bill Heller
Eclipse Sportswire
#SOUNDBITES We asked trainers how they are handling the coronavirus pandemic and what advice they have for getting through this ordeal.
# Todd Pletcher We had to close down our Belmont division. There were workers with symptoms. They went to the clinic and were quarantined. More than anything, it was making it difficult to have a safe workplace. At that time, we thought there wasn’t going to be racing in New York for a while. We had 20 horses at Belmont. That normally would be the time we’d be sending horses to Belmont. We had to put that on hold. We left it up to owners to decide what to do with their horses. Some went to their farms; a couple went to Fair Hill; some went to Ocala and some went to Palm Beach Downs. We did not move any workers (but) have about 100 horses at Palm Beach, a small string at Gulfstream Park (and) four at Oaklawn scheduled to run. We’ve been fortunate with Gulfstream being able to run. We’ve been able to keep some schedules. It’s juggling a lot of schedules. It’s trying times for everyone. We want to make sure to keep our horses and our employees healthy.
Current practices at Palm Beach? We’re just going by the recommendations as to what the government is saying. Masks are optional. Some are wearing them; most are not. At Gulfstream, we’re just trying to use common sense, keep people from congregating, keep six feet apart. The one thing we are learning is that social distancing is working. We try to keep that policy in mind.
Planning ahead?
USE COMMON SENSE. TAKE CARE OF YOUR HORSES AND YOUR STAFF. IN TIME, WE’LL RETURN TO NORMALCY. TRY TO REMAIN POSITIVE.”
That’s something I have to work around. I’m a targetoriented trainer. I like pointing to specific spots. At Aqueduct, the condition book is in the garbage— Keeneland, too. These are unique times. You have to adjust on a daily basis. Everyone’s in the same boat. Everyone’s facing several challenges.
Suggestions? Use common sense. Take care of your horses and your staff. In time, we’ll return to normalcy. Try to remain positive.
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TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM CORONAVIRUS E-ZINE EDITION
