Churchill Downs Releases First Condition Book of 2020

Churchill Downs released its first condition book of the year May 3 after receiving the go-ahead from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear April 29 to conduct spectatorless racing.

The Louisville racetrack will open its stable area—closed since Dec. 31 for annual winter renovations—May 11 and the spring meet will be underway May 16. The spring meet was originally scheduled to open April 25, but the opening of the stable area was repeatedly delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The condition book lists races on a Thursday-through-Sunday basis for May 16 through June 5, plus a Monday card for Memorial Day on May 25. Seven stakes races, including three graded events, are spread throughout two days.

The May 23 card features five stakes, topped by the $150,000 Matt Winn Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds running 1 1/16 miles on the main track. The card also includes the $100,000 Blame Stakes for 4-year-olds and up at one mile, the $100,000 Shawnee Stakes for fillies and mares 4 years old and up at 1 1/16 miles, the $100,000 War Chant Stakes for 3-year-olds at one mile on the turf, and the $100,000 Tepin Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on the turf.

Two more stakes are scheduled for May 30: the $100,000 Winning Colors Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares 4 years old and up at six furlongs, and the $100,000 Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes (G3T) for fillies and mares 4 years old and up at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Eleven races have been scheduled for opening day, with the feature an $85,000 allowance optional claiming event for fillies and mares 3 years old and up running a mile on the main track.

Horses stabled at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will be the first allowed to return to Churchill Downs from May 11-13, followed by horses at Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs, and Florida training centers May 14-16, then horses stabled at Oaklawn Park May 17-19, and finally horses from other locales May 20.

Kentucky has not had live racing since March 25 at Turfway Park, which ended its meet three days early as nonessential businesses closed in response to the coronavirus. Keeneland's spring meet in April was canceled.

The races at Churchill Downs will be conducted without spectators until the government approves the return of fans. Only authorized racetrack employees and Kentucky Horse Racing Commission license holders who are providing support for a horse stabled at Churchill Downs will be permitted on the property.

The full condition can be viewed on Equibase.