Churchill Downs Further Delays Opening of Stable Area

Churchill Downs announced March 24 that it will delay the reopening of its stable areas at both Churchill Downs and the auxiliary training center, Churchill Downs Trackside, until April 14. The decision was made after ongoing consultation with public health officials amid public health concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Churchill Downs' stable areas have been closed since Dec. 31 for annual winter renovations and were originally scheduled to reopen March 17 before first delayed to March 31. Many of the horses that would be stabled at Churchill Downs this spring are currently residing at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans; Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.; Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.; Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Fla.; Payson Park in Indiantown, Fla.; Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Fla.; and Turfway Park in Florence, Ky. 

"Together, we are in the midst of an unprecedented global health crisis and every tough decision we make is made with the best real time information we have from government officials and public health experts," said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs racetrack. "We understand how trying the impact of this decision is on our horsemen, but we will continue to work tirelessly with public health experts toward a satisfactory resolution so our horsemen and their horses can return home safely as soon as possible."

Churchill Downs' 38-day spring meet is scheduled for April 25-June 27. With respect to postponing the opening of the spring meet, a decision will be made closer to that date using the most recent information while working with and seeking guidance from public health experts and authorities, the track said. Last week, it was announced that the 146th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) was rescheduled from May 2 to Sept. 5. 

Mike Ziegler, executive director of racing for Churchill Downs Inc., said Turfway Park and Fair Grounds horsemen would not need to vacate their stalls until such time that more options become available for stabling due to widespread track shutdowns. Both Turfway Park and Fair Grounds are owned by CDI.

"We understand that there is nowhere for them to go. Illinois is not open. Ohio is probably not going to let anybody in. Indiana, same thing," said Ziegler. 

The meet at Fair Grounds came to an early end March 21 due to COVID-19 and the Turfway meet is set to conclude March 28. CDI had planned to begin demolishing Turfway's grandstand and install a new synthetic surface shortly thereafter.

"Now the impact on the construction, hopefully, it doesn't put us in a position to where it does have an impact because we did build in some time," Ziegler said."There are first things first."