Blood-Horse

Trainer Tom Amoss tweeted March 19 that he would self-quarantine for 14 days after he was informed that New Orleans Saints Football Coach Sean Payton—with whom the trainer was near at Oaklawn Park March 14—had tested positive for COVID-19.

Citing "concerns over international travel" during the COVID-19 outbreak, trainer Aidan O'Brien announced he would miss the Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan.

With the utmost regard for the safety and well-being of essential personnel and the horses they care for, Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields announced March 19 the immediate closure of the stable entry gates to outside personnel.

Tattersalls also announced that the March 31 Tattersalls Ascot Breeze Up Sale and sales scheduled for April will be postponed, but the sale company does not have firm dates in place.

During a March 19 meeting, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission unanimously approved Churchill Downs' request to race Sept. 1-5 to accommodate its COVID-19-related postponement of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).

Bound for Nowhere, once bound for Keeneland's Shakertown Stakes (G2T) April 4, alternatively races at Santa Anita Park March 21 in the $100,000 San Simeon Stakes (G3T) after Keeneland canceled its meet earlier this week due to COVID-19.

The KTOB has postponed its 2019 awards luncheon (to be held April 8 at Keeneland) and has listed its champions for the year. George Strawbridge Jr.'s Beyond the Waves has been named Kentucky Broodmare of the Year.

The New York Racing Association announced March 19 that live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack will be suspended until further notice due to changing circumstances in the racing community relative to COVID-19.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has unveiled a top-notch slate of international entries for its April 26 Champions Day races—along with a caution that few, if any, may compete amid steadily evolving quarantine and travel regulations.

Horsemen at Tampa Bay Downs and Oaklawn Park are thankful those tracks have continued to race amid the COVID-19 crisis.

This week is a recap of Grindstone's victory in the March 17, 1996 Louisiana Derby (G3) at Fair Grounds. The recap, written by the late Bob Fortus, ran in the March 24, 1996 magazine issue. It carried the headline "What a Grind."

Leonard Green and Jonathan Green's Another Miracle, a stakes-winning son of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, returns to the turf to get his sophomore season started in the $75,000 Texas Glitter Stakes March 21 at Gulfstream Park.

Airdrie Stud's freshman sire had six juveniles sell for six-figure prices.

Set to make her first start of the year, Stoneway Farm's stakes-winning homebred Cofactor will headline a talented field of five in the $100,000 Cicada Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going six furlongs March 21 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The conclusion of the Ocala Breeders' Sales March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training was a testament to the resilience of buyers and consignors alike who put lofty aspirations aside in favor of moving juveniles forward through the market.

Santa Anita and Golden Gate, already racing without spectators in a COVID-19 precaution, will restrict attendance further this week by not "allowing anyone aside from trainers running horses and their attending staff to come to the races."

Irish racing will continue behind closed doors with even more protocols following a crucial meeting of the Horse Racing Ireland board Wednesday.

Elite Racing Club members have been dealt a huge blow with the death of their star broodmare Marlinka at the age of just 12.

The Racing and Community Development Act passed the Maryland General Assembly March 18 and is awaiting approval of Gov. Larry Hogan.

Finite will aim to keep her win streak rolling March 21 and will face five rivals in the Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G1) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.