The executive director of the North Dakota Racing Commission says the two horse race meets scheduled this summer could be affected by the COVID-19 virus.
The racing season is supposed to start June 6th at Chippewa Downs in Belcourt, and in July at the North Dakota Horse Park in Fargo. But Jack Schulz told the Commission those dates could be affected by the virus.
Schulz said the Commission will meet at the end of April to look at the options.
"One would be to run as scheduled, if things have cleared up enough to allow that," Schulz told the Commission. "A second option, which is being done at some of the race tracks around the country, is to run without spectators. A third option would be to delay the races to July, August or August-September, if that's feasible. The last one would be to cancel the races altogether."
Schulz said his absolute last option is to cancel this year’s race meets.
Commission chairman Dave Piepkorn said he understands the situation.
"I'm not encouraging us to have races without people there," Piepkorn said.
Piepkorn said he thinks in 30 days, there will be a clearer picture about what will happen.
"I think if we pushed our races in Fargon into the fall, we would have even better attendance than during the summer," Pipekorn said. "We have lots of options, and we have some time."
The commission will meet again Apr. 30th.
