Horse racing at Saratoga Race Course may happen this summer without spectators in attendance due to the coronavirus spread through New York.

The New York Racing Association, in a statement Wednesday, said it has plans in place to hold the 2020 racing seasons at both Saratoga and Belmont Park without fans at the tracks. Only essential employees and “support staff” would be on hand for the races.

“These plans prioritize the health and safety of employees, horsemen and the backstretch community and include a broad array of risk mitigation strategies developed according to the most updated health guidance,” read a statement from NYRA Director of Communications Pat McKenna. “By closing to the public, layering additional health and safety protocols to our ongoing practices, and reducing the number of employees on-property, NYRA is in a position to provide a small sense of normalcy for fans across the country who can watch on television and online.

“At the same time, this model will enable NYRA to preserve its ability to serve as the cornerstone of an industry that generates more than 19,000 jobs in New York and $3 billion in annual economic impact.”

Previously, NYRA says it held races at Aqueduct without fans through mid-March.

At his daily COVID-19 press conference on Wednesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo cast doubt on the track opening to the public this summer.

“I don’t think it’s fair to shut something down until we know exactly where we are going to be there,” said Anne Marie Mitchell, Saratoga Springs resident.

“Make sure the horses are safe because that is a top priority for anybody that attends the racecourse,” said Linda McDonough, Saratoga Springs resident.

Saratoga’s racing season was scheduled to run from July 16-September 7, but the April 15 opening of the Oklahoma Training Track had previously been delayed by NYRA. More than one million people attended races at the course during the 2019 season, the first with a five-day racing schedule rather than a six-day schedule.

“This is clearly going to be one of those down years,” said Todd Shimkus, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce president. “See if there are ways we can safely accommodate something better that might be more helpful, positively for the local economy.”