Lone Star Park meeting abandoned after one race due to Covid-19 concerns

Sunday’s meeting at Lone Star Park was abandoned after just one race due to Covid-19 concerns with no indication on when racing will be able to resume at the Texas track.

The abrupt halt to the fixture was a blow to the course with sources telling the Paulick Report that a positive Covid-19 test emerged involving an individual employed at the track who has regular contact with jockeys or their valets.

Racing at Lone Star Park restarted on May 22 and last month racegoers were allowed to attend meetings with 50 per cent capacity as Texas became one of the first US states to reopen its economy.

An announcement on Twitter read: “Due to an abundance of caution, all racing operations at Lone Star Park have been suspended due to #COVID19. Racing will resume at a date to be determined.”

Texas governor Greg Abbott had last week made face coverings a requirement for those in public and gave local authorities the power to limit the size of gatherings after a spike in cases.

Temperature checks and social distancing have been in place at the track with Lone Star Park's season scheduled to run through to August 11.

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