Riverhead Cancels Racing For The Month Of June

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. – Riverhead Raceway owners Eddie & Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz announced Monday morning that due to the continuing COVID-19 worldwide pandemic and subsequent federal and state restrictions put into place by local and state officials, they have been forced to cancel all racing events for the month of June.

In losing events slated for June, Riverhead Raceway will have lost 11 on track events to date.

“Due to Federal and local regulations regarding the COVID-19 virus, Riverhead Raceway regrets to announce that all events in the month of June have been canceled,” track officials said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor regulations set forth by the state and we will be ready to race when those regulations change and allow us. All of us at Riverhead Raceway are hoping that you and yours are staying safe and home during this worldwide pandemic.”

Suffolk County, where Riverhead Raceway is located, entered Phase 1 of reopening this on May 27. If there are no setbacks, Phase 4 should be attained in mid-to-late July, offering a glimmer of hope for a race season on Long Island.

Gatz noted he is starting to piece together an amended schedule in the event all goes well during the various phases of reopening in Suffolk County. Track General Manager John Ellwood proclaimed the facility is ready for racing if and when the restrictions are lifted or Phase 4 of reopening is reached.