Prairie Meadows CEO Gary Palmer has not given in to pressure from local horsemen to consider re-opening the Iowa racetrack, according to a report in the Des Moines Register. The casino has been shut down since March 16 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and a wave of 1,130 layoffs began last Sunday. Live racing was scheduled to begin on May 1, but no official announcement has been made as to when or even if racing will return in 2020. Palmer is concerned about horsemen shipping in from other states to race and believes the casino and racetrack would not be safe for patrons or workers.