(Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

This weekend’s horse races cancelled due to last-minute COVID testing requirements

May 14, 2021 | 5:39 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The horses will not be off to the races this weekend after all.

On Thursday, the Rocky Mountain Turf Club (RMTC) announced that races were set to start this Saturday and Sunday after getting an exemption from Alberta Health Services on May 7.

READ MORE: Horse racing back in Lethbridge this weekend with no fans in the stands

Just 24 hours after the first race of the season was set to start, however, GM Rose Rossi says they were informed of public health requirements that nobody thought to tell them about before.

“[Friday] at 12:48 pm, we received another notice that they had some guidelines that we had to meet that we were just told, and that was to get COVID tested 72 hours prior.”

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“I can’t even tell you the words – you know, I think my heart stopped. I think everyone had different reactions and it really is too bad.”

Due to the timing of this email on Friday, the absolute earliest RMTC would be able to hold races would be this coming Monday.

Had they been told about this on May 7, Rossi told LNN that all of this could have easily been avoided and the races would not have had to be cancelled.

“We were so ready. You know, people had been quarantining. Nobody is allowed in that backstretch unless they have their license – they check-in at the office, they get temperature checks, they have to wear masks. Everything, our I’s were dotted and our T’s crossed.”

She says everyone involved had already been training and preparing for several weeks, but she was most disappointed because some racers and team members had travelled from out of town to be in Lethbridge.

Rossi is optimistic that they will be able to hold races next weekend. No fans will be allowed in attendance, but people can still watch and place bets online.

In the meantime, the RMTC is still holding bets for the Triple Crown Preakness event on Saturday, May 15.

More details here.

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