Turfway Park Cancels Racing Following Governor's Order
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Photo: Coady Photography
Racing at Turfway Park
Churchill Downs Inc. announced March 25 the cancellation of the current winter/spring meet at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., effective immediately, in accordance with the "Healthy at Home" Executive Order 2020-257 issued by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Turfway Park racing season was originally scheduled to run through March 28, resulting in the loss of the final three days of its meet.
The track had been conducting races without patrons amid COVID-19. Only horsemen, track officials, and limited staffing were allowed for racing.
Turfway Park's backside will remain open for training because it falls under the "life-sustaining business" category as it provides "food, shelter, and other necessities of life for animals." Focus at Turfway Park will remain on the safety of all employees and members of the backside community, CDI said in a release.
CDI purchased Turfway Park in 2019 and plans to tear down the aging grandstand this year and begin construction of a new facility with historical horse racing terminals.
Keeneland in Lexington canceled its spring meet earlier this month, leaving no racing in Kentucky for the foreseeable future.
Churchill Downs has not yet postponed its April 25 spring-meet opening, though such a move is widely expected. The track has delayed its stable opening until April 14.
The Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), originally scheduled for May 2, has been postponed until Sept. 5.