Empty stands at Emerald Downs leave empty feeling inside
AUBURN — For a moment, it almost felt like things were normal.
The horses reached the quarter pole in the finale at Emerald Downs this past Wednesday and my hopes for a big payoff were riding on a 3-year-old filly named Port Lions, who had an easy lead. But my cheers turned to begging, then resigned sighs as Port Lions faded like the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI.
Then reality hit. I had not struck it rich. I had been just about the only person cheering. And I might not see another live sporting event for months because COVID-19 is still here.
Emerald Downs began its 25th season with no fans in attendance and just a smattering of racetrack personnel, media and horse owners on hand. The usual trappings of the racetrack were nowhere to be found. You couldn’t place a bet (you’d have to do that online); couldn’t buy a program; and couldn’t buy a beer or a chili dog — no doubt a health benefit to racing fans and their loved ones.
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