LETHBRIDGE Less than 24 hours before the horse races were set to get underway, the Rocky Mountain Turf Club found out they d have to wait another week. They received an email early Friday afternoon from Horse Race Alberta, the governing body for all race tracks in the province, stating that all jockeys and gatekeepers needed to receive a negative polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test result before they raced, which could take up to 72 hours. Because of this, they were forced to postpone their opening weekend until May 22nd. Horse Race Alberta notified them that they d received an exemption from AHS on May 7th as long as they followed the specific guidelines laid out, which included a two week quarantine for the jockeys along with other guidelines such as wearing masks and social distancing.
Horses are back on the track without fans in the stands
Poll
Yes
By Herald on May 13, 2021.
Jockey Tim Moccasin takes a horse for a ride on the track before last fall’s season at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club. The horses are returning this spring, but the stands will remain empty for now. Herald file photo by Ian Martens
The horses are back at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club, but for now the fans won’t be.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the RMTC grandstand will be vacant, but the same race-day vibe will be intact as the horses take the gate starting this weekend.