Operator News
Argentina – Hipódromo de San Isidro plans to reopen in Buenos Aires
By Phil - 3 June 2020
Buenos Aires’ Hipódromo de San Isidro, one of the most important racetracks in Argentina, is looking to hold seven of the 14 races that it normally has on its regular schedule with a return to racing this month.
Horse racing ground to a halt in Buenos Aires in March following a mandatory quarantine from the President, Alberto Fernández. The capital’s casinos and bingo halls have not reopened yet but lotteries are looking to relaunch this week.
Gustavo Posse, Mayor of Buenos Aires city San Isidro, said in an interview with Clarín: “I just visited the track, I met the authorities and the horses are ready to run tomorrow. We know that there’s good will for the activity to return, it’s just that a meeting with the provincial regulator Institute of Lottery and Casinos of Buenos Aires (IPLyC) and representatives of the sector was delayed. We wanted to present the security protocols and obtain the authorisation.”
Trainers have been able to work with their horse throughout lockdown, but under strict security measures, which includes the use of a mask.
“It’s not a contact sport, no one else is on the track besides the horse, the caretaker and the jockey,” the Mayor added. “It’s all designed so that there’s no contact. In order to access the tracks, people need to wash car wheels, check temperature levels, among other things. We are not behind in salary payments, but we know that the Jockey Club is experiencing financial difficulties.”
