The Kentucky Derby will be held without fans next month at Churchill Downs. The historic racetrack reported that the move is due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Louisville area.It will be the second Triple Crown race this year to be contested without spectators after the Belmont Stakes held in June. The Derby and kentucky Oaks colt race were postponed from their start date, May 1 and 2 to September 4 and 5 due to coronavirus.
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Churchill Downs had recently announced that it would allow limited assistance to 23,000 people for the 146th Derby as part of a 62-page health and safety plan for that important horse race.” We trusted that plan, but we maintained the flexibility to take advantage of the best and most reliable information available,” the racetrack explained in a statement. “Due to the current significant increase in COVID-19 cases in Louisville as well as across the region, we had to revisit our planning.
“We deeply regret the disappointment this causes to our loyal fans.”
The track will return tickets to all races scheduled in Derby week.Churchill Downs added that his decision was in support of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who noted that the coronavirus continues to spread in the state. Beshear also cited the White House announcement that Luisville and the surrounding Jefferson County are “high-contagion.” Beshear claimed the county recorded 2,300 new cases just this week and applauded that Churchill Downs would track the virus and “make the right and responsible decision.” Churchill Downs did not allow spectators to attend their postponed spring races, including the Derby, initially scheduled for the first Saturday in May and which was first postponed since 1945.With rescheduling, the Derby also changed the order of the races that make up the Triple Crown. He will be in the middle and followed by the October 3 Preakness race on Baltimore.La track he had announced this summer that he would restrict the general admission to the 10.5-hectare (26-acre) Derby field before cancelling that decision and space for fans standing due to updated regulations. Churchill Downs had based its fan limit on 14% of 2015 record attendance, of 170,513, with reserved seats reduced to an occupancy of 40%. Now the Derby and Oaks will start with no one under the characteristic pair of spire towers on the grounds. You might be interested in:
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