Let's be optimistic. It is easy to trash Racing, a sport/industry which has
spent decades fouling its nest while simultaneously shooting itself in the
hoof, but we are talking jobs/livelihoods here. The lost jobs, the shuttered
businesses, the weakened industries, are all going to create an economic
hangover which will last for a long while after the world is healthy again.

DRF is offering past performances for four venues scheduled to race today:
Golden Gate, Gulf, Oaklawn and Tampa Bay Downs. I will offer my OPINION that
there are currently infected individuals working on the backstretch at each of
these venues.

If it seems likely that these four venues are going to be able to continue
(congrats to Belinda Stronach, who apparently knew which pocket to put the cash
in to save yesterday's Florida Derby card), if Racing had central leadership,
this is what might happen: (this plan as it were is based on the fact that
cities/counties/states are bleeding income/revenue. Racing is a source of
income/revenue, conducted outdoors, which somehow makes it safer).

THE PLAN:

1) The four currently operating venues apply to the necessary state
commissions/authorities to extend their current race meets until July 1.

2) If above approval is granted, test all employees at these four venues. Those
who test positive are quarantined and treated. Those who are healthy continue
to work. The tracks will offer a uniform social distancing best practices
document which will show how the racing operation will be conducted employing
social distancing.

3) Pump up the purse structure at all of these tracks. The problem will be how
these tracks will handle horses coming in from other tracks, from farms, from
training centers. If shipping in is permissible, there could be some really
good racing at these four venues while they enjoy a monopoly. Write some races
for the 3YOs whose connections are hoping to participate in the Sept 5 Kentucky
Derby aka "The New Fall Classic".

Jobs will be saved. The folks looking for a source of diversion and
entertainment (ironically, now, me) will be satisfied. Racing may have a chance
to get some new fans. Maybe Tampa Bay Downs, now thrust into a national
position of prominence, will secure the services of a decent race caller. I
vote for Travis Stone or the Keeneland guy.

Really won't matter that Racing is going on with business as usual, which might
offend some, because Racing has been wearing the proverbial black hat for a few
years now

Who knows? Churchill has not made a decision on its Spring Meet. Arlington
announced they are postponing their May opening.

Aqueduct is being transformed into a hospital, finally getting the deep
cleaning it has needed for about 50 years. I hope JB is right about Belmont
opening because that would mean that NYC aka The Epicenter is returning to
"normal".

As to Saratoga, as much as the region relies on the six weeks of
income/revenue, it is hard to imagine the tightly packed crowds on the big days
being a part of the Saratoga Experience any time in the near future. Cynically
I look for NYRA to limit weekend attendance at the Spa to 15,000 socially
distanced racing fans and charge these fans an exorbitant sum for the
privilege.

IF QUICK TESTS ARE INDEED AVAILABLE, TEST EVERYONE. THE HEALTHY FOLKS CAN
RETURN TO WORK, THE SICK ARE TREATED AND SEPARATED. RESTART THE NATIONAL
ECONOMY.