Reopening of Stable Areas at Churchill Downs Delayed

Churchill Downs has delayed the reopening of its stable areas to April 28 at both the Louisville oval and its auxiliary training center, Trackside, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The opening of the 2020 spring meet, originally scheduled for April 25-June 27, has been postponed and a determination of the exact starting date will be made closer to the opening of the stable areas. 

Churchill Downs' stable areas have been closed since Dec. 31 for annual winter renovations and were originally scheduled to reopen March 17. The track has delayed reopening its stable areas in response to executive orders issued by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to contain and limit the spread of COVID-19. On March 17, it was announced that the 146th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) was rescheduled from May 2 to Sept. 5.

"Obviously, this is a very fluid situation," said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack. "We're following the lead of the governor and public health officials, who are giving us advice and counsel on what to expect over time, and every decision we make is made in compliance with those recommendations. We remain hopeful that our horsemen and their horses will be able to return home as soon as possible. Our team will be ready to open under the relevant guidance we are given when the time is right."

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, La.; Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.; Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.; Palm Meadows in Boynton Beach, Fla.; Payson Park in Indiantown, Fla.; Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Fla.; and Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.