Patrons will be allowed to see live Horse racing at Santa Rosa Park, Arima on Saturday, when the Arima Race club stages its Day 18 programme of the 2020 season. Since Mid-March because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, seven and a half months ago, no fans were allowed to be in the stands or on the track to cheer for their favourite horse at the facility.
However, the sport resumed at the end of June without spectators but today for the running of the second Jewel of local racing's 'Triple Crown' series the Grade One which is sponsored by NLCB - the Midsummer Classic, it will be back to its usual ambience.
Last week Saturday Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley gave the green light for Betting outlets to operate at fifty per cent capacity from last Monday.
With Private Betting Shops and the Arima Race Club (ARC), Off-Track Betting in St James and Curepe opened, punters can place their pets if not coming to the track. The ARC has found it very difficult to remain afloat with only online and telephone betting.
However, patrons will not be allowed on the premises without a mask and they will also have to undergo temperature checks as well as practice social distancing.
There will also be sanitising station all around the centralised Facility.
In a release from the Chief Executive Officer of the Arima Race Club - Kenwyn Ogeer, the ARC has announced that patrons up to a maximum of 50% capacity will be allowed at the track and all Covid 19 protocols will be in effect. Persons will be allowed entry on a first come first serve basis and those persons who do not meet the requirements of the protocol will be denied entry.
The feature event is the NLCB Midsummer Classic, the second leg of the Triple Crown Series, which will be Race 6 on the card. The race has attracted a field of ten (10) of the best 3 yr olds in the country and includes six (6) Native Breds and four (4) Jamaicans. Heading the field is Wise Guy which won the Guineas Classic, the first leg of the Triple Crown, on Republic Day. Therefore he is the only one that has a chance of sweeping the three races. This PT Racing owned colt by Jouvert will be the punters' choice but he will be up against his stable companion, the consistent filly Bella Riva, which finished second in the Guineas, her only career loss.
The action starts at 12:35 pm with the first race for Native Bred three-year-old and over horses. Race 3 is for Horse rated 60 to 45 and is the only turf race on the card and the final race which is open to horses rated 40 to 25 is scheduled to be run off at 4:45 pm. The race is also a sprint for Horses rated 80 to 60.
Races 5 and 7 are the Hi-5 betting races and simulcast from popular North American tracks will be available throughout the afternoon.