Santa Anita has scheduled a nine-race program on Friday, its first since March 22, if the track receives approval from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to conduct racing amidst the coronavirus outbreak. Track officials have been in contact with county health officials in recent weeks, but as of midday Tuesday had not received official word that racing can proceed. The track was ordered closed by county health officials March 27, less than an hour before racing was scheduled to start, when deemed a nonessential business because of the pandemic. In late April, Santa Anita announced it would resume racing Friday and intended to continue through closing day of the winter-spring meeting on June 21. :: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Friday's races drew strong fields, which is understandable considering there has been no racing at Santa Anita in nearly two months. There were 97 horses entered, but three of those runners are on also-eligible lists. The smallest fields are the third and sixth races, with nine entrants each. If racing resumes, no spectators will be allowed and a minimal number of track employees will be involved to conduct races. A similar policy was in place for five racing days from March 14-22. Beginning Friday, jockeys, assistant starters, and a group of grooms that will accompany the horses from the walking ring to the racetrack will be quarantined in temporary housing on racetrack property. Access to the grandstand will be severely limited. For example, horse owners will not be able to attend. The track has lost 21 days of racing since late March because of the pandemic. It is highly unlikely that spectators will be allowed at Santa Anita for the foreseeable future. Tuesday, Barbara Ferrer, the influential director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, told the county board of supervisors that stay-at-home restrictions were likely to take place through August in some form, according to media reports. County health officials are expected to announce specifics of a health order Wednesday, reports said.