Churchill Downs Delays Stable Opening Until May 5

Churchill Downs announced April 23 that it must delay the reopening of its stable areas at both Churchill Downs and its auxiliary training center, Trackside, to at least May 5. The opening of the 2020 spring meet, originally scheduled for April 25, also has been postponed, and a determination of the exact starting date will be made closer to the opening of the stable areas.

Churchill Downs officials are in ongoing discussions with state and local officials and public health experts about reopening its stable areas and conducting spectator-free racing under strict guidelines.

Churchill Downs, in conjunction with other Kentucky racetracks, has identified specific protocols to mitigate risks for its stabling and racing facilities as it relates to COVID-19, the track said in a release. A multitude of precautions and procedures based on criteria set by public health experts will be implemented to ensure the safety of employees, stakeholders, and horses.

"We remain hopeful that our horsemen can safely return to work here in Kentucky sooner rather than later," said Kevin Flanery, the president of Churchill Downs. "Horse racing is a unique agricultural business and serves as the prime economic driver for thousands of individuals in the Commonwealth. The Thoroughbreds we cherish need constant care, and it's a testament to our horsemen who have constantly cared for them this winter and spring in different locales under unique circumstances. We're working hard to reopen in a responsible and safe environment that will satisfy our public officials." 

Churchill Downs' stable areas have been closed since Dec. 31 for annual winter renovations and were originally scheduled to reopen March 17. Since that time, the track has repeatedly delayed stable opening dates, most recently from April 28.

Other racetracks around the country that were set to open this spring have also imposed restrictions on their stable areas. Some tracks, such as Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, have continued to house horses and horsemen and allow training past their scheduled meets because of the limited stabling options available elsewhere. Some horsemen still stabled at Fair Grounds are awaiting Churchill Downs to reopen before sending their horses north from Louisiana.

Churchill Downs said it delayed the reopening of its stable areas in response to executive orders issued by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to limit the spread of COVID-19. 

This month at Turfway Park, where training has continued after its meet was shuttered in late March on Beshear's state orders, two people tested positive for COVID-19—a backstretch worker and a Turfway staffer. Turfway horses and backstretch workers regularly participate in the Churchill Downs spring meet.

When the time is right to safely reopen, Churchill Downs will allow horses and their personnel to return to its stable areas under a phased, systematic, and controlled approach, the track said.

Churchill Downs' spring meet was originally scheduled for April 25-June 27. On March 17, the track announced that the 146th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) was rescheduled from May 2 to Sept. 5.