PHOENIX – A confirmed COVID-19 positive from a person in the jockey’s room at Turf Paradise caused track management to cancel racing on Thursday and Friday.

Vince Francia, general manager of the Phoenix track, said the track plans to resume live racing Monday after two dark days over the weekend. As a result of the confirmed positive, ontrack personnel – including valets and gate crew – had to be tested and that likely couldn’t be accomplished before the Friday card, Francia said.

Francia said the track would add races on upcoming cards to make up for lost programs.

The New York Racing Association on Thursday announced updated jockey protocols for the remainder of the Aqueduct winter meet that will allow out of town riders to participate provided they produce two negative COVID-19 tests within a five-day period.

Boosted by strong handle from account-wagering sources, Del Mar will offer significantly higher overnight purses compared to recent years at its 31-day summer meeting from July 17 to Sept. 6, the track announced Thursday.

Including stakes, the track expects to distribute approximately $700,000 per day.

Del Mar, and other Southern California tracks, have benefited from a rise in account-wagering handle during the coronavirus pandemic, which forced customers to bet from phones or computers. Tracks have limited attendance largely to owners with horses racing on a given day.

In an effort to increase the local horse population, Emerald Downs is offering a $10,000 bonus to any trainer outside the region who brings a stable of horses to the track for the first time. To be eligible for the bonus, a trainer must bring at least 10 horses to the Auburn, Wash., track. The bonus program is limited to the first five trainers who qualify.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Joey Migliore has left his job as a sales associate for West Point Thoroughbreds to open up his own bloodstock operation.

Migliore is heading to Florida this week to start preparing for the upcoming sales in March at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company and Gulfstream Park.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Wipe the Slate will cut back to one turn when he ships cross-country from California to run in the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes on March 6, trainer Doug O’Neill confirmed Wednesday.

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OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Nicky the Vest, impressive winner of the Gander Stakes for New York-breds on Feb. 14, will point to the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial on April 3, trainer Jonathan Thomas said.

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OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Musical Heart will make his third attempt at winning his first stakes of the winter when he meets Mr. Buff and three others in Saturday’s $125,000 Stymie Stakes at Aqueduct.

Claimed for $62,500 three starts back by trainer Rob Atras for Michael Dubb, Musical Heart finished second to Backsideofthemoon in the Queens County Stake on Dec. 19 and third to Mr. Buff in the Jazil Stakes on Jan. 23. In the Jazil, Musical Heart found himself on the lead under Manny Franco after Backsideofthemoon broke poorly.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Snapper Sinclair, who won an allowance this month at Oaklawn, is being pointed to the Group 2 Godolphin Mile at Meydan in Dubai, trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday.

The race will be run on the Dubai World Cup card March 27.

Snapper Sinclair won a Feb. 4 allowance at Oaklawn going a mile. He scored by a length and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 91 in what was his first start since finishing second in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Dec. 5 at Aqueduct.

Asmussen said Joel Rosario would have the mount in the Godolphin Mile.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Jackie’s Warrior established himself as an elite member of his division last year and on Saturday he’ll be looking to pick up where he left off when he launches his 3-year-old season against champion Essential Quality in the Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

“He’s an awfully nice horse that we’re very fortunate to get the chance to run,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Jackie’s Warrior.