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Grants Pass Cancels 2020 Spring Meet
Grants Pass Downs management announced this week that the Oregon track has cancelled its 2020 spring meet.

© Grants Pass Downs
Grants Pass Cancels 2020 Spring Meet

GRANTS PASS, OR—MARCH 27, 2020—Grants Pass Downs in Grants Pass, Oregon, has announced today that it has cancelled its 2020 spring racing season, which was scheduled to begin May 10.

"Grants Pass Downs has made the decision to cancel the upcoming spring race meet due to health and safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak," said track president Randy Evers in a statement released by the Oregon Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. "As a result, the backside will not open for training in April.

"Grants Pass Downs management explored every possible avenue for continuing with our planned racing schedule," Evers added. "However, as none of the options aligned with our commitment to the health and safety of our staff, athletes, horsemen and women, racing fans and our community, it became apparent we had to make this difficult decision.

"These are unprecedented times for all of us, but amid the uncertainty and fear, we are inspired by the unwavering love and support people are showing for one another -- and the creative ways we are offering that support, despite shelter-in-place orders and social distancing measures. The ingenuity of the human spirit and hard work of regular people to help others reminds us that we are all in this together, and we will come through these difficult times stronger."

Evers added that Grants Pass Downs management "will be exploring all opportunities to honor our summer and fall race meets. That will include dates to open the backside (and) setting final race dates."

The Grants Pass Downs spring meet was scheduled to run through June 8 and be followed by three-day meet at the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show in Union, and a nine-day Grants Pass Downs summer meet starting June 20.