Horsemen at Mahoning Valley were notified on Monday morning that the racetrack’s barns, racing surface and dormitories must be emptied by April 7 at midnight due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
An internal email circulated to track employees stated the track security will be working until at least that day, and possibly a few days afterward.
A flyer distributed by track security indicated horsemen were to thoroughly clean stalls and tack rooms prior to vacating. The notice indicated there would be no gate training or clocker available after April 1 and that the track would be closed for training on April 2, before reopening for training April 3 through April 7.
The casino at Mahoning Valley has been closed since March 13 and live racing was shut down by the commission on March 20.
Other tracks have initially provided orders for horsemen to vacate their property, only to walk those orders back after protest from horsemen who in many cases are left with nowhere else for their horses or their help to live. Many tracks have already closed their gates, allowing existing horsemen to remain while racing is cancelled, but stating they will not allow shippers coming in from elsewhere.
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