Horse owners, track operators seek harness racing start

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — HORSE RACING

Ohio horse owners, track operators joined hundreds of harness racing employees, suppliers and fans in petitioning Gov. Mike DeWine this week to allow harness racing to restart by May 15, even if stands have to be empty. They emphasized the industry has developed a safety and sanitation strategy, which includes social distancing. Columbus horse owner and industry advocate Carl Howard said in a release that the industry directly and indirectly employs more than 5,000 people. He said groomers, trainers and other workers are going without paychecks while costs for veterinarians, blacksmiths, stable rents and utilities mount. He said races could be viewed either online or on TV. Kentucky, Florida, California and Arkansas currently are allowing thoroughbred racing without an audience.

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CANCELLATIONS

Several popular outdoor events announced cancellations this week. In Columbus, organizers of Red, White & Boom, which can draw hundreds of thousands of people downtown, said it would provide “a multi-day television and digital event” revisiting past parades instead. In Cincinnati, organizers of the Taste of Cincinnati, an annual downtown food festival usually held on Memorial Day weekend but rescheduled this year for July 3-5, said Friday it is being postponed again because of anti-coronavirus measures. Fourth of July fireworks and summer concerts in downtown Toledo also won’t take place this year.