Horses Arrive at Churchill Downs From Fair Grounds

The first horse vans began arriving at Churchill Downs' stable gate in the early morning May 11 from Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, with approximately 175 horses scheduled to be on the grounds by the end of the day, according to senior director of the stable area Steve Hargrave.

"We're so glad to be coming home," said trainer Greg Foley.

Foley, whose family lives in Oldham County, Kentucky, experienced an unplanned, extended stay in New Orleans following the COVID-19 pandemic that delayed entry to the backside at Churchill Downs by nearly two months. Foley is annually one of the first trainers to arrive at Churchill Downs, and he held to tradition Monday as part of his string of horses were the first to arrive at 6 a.m. ET.

Other trainers to have horses that arrived Monday included Tom Amoss, Steve Asmussen, Mark Casse, Bret Calhoun, Steve Margolis, and Al Stall Jr.

Prior to Monday, approximately 295 COVID-19 tests were administered to all stable employees relocating from Fair Grounds. There have been an additional 580 tests completed at Churchill Downs by Wild Health of Lexington.

Approximately 300 additional horses will be shipping into Churchill Downs from Fair Grounds over the next two days. Horses stabled in Florida are scheduled to arrive May 14-16, while horses from Arkansas are slated to arrive May 17-19. Horses that have been stabled in Kentucky and other locales can arrive starting on May 20.

Top horses on the first vans back to Churchill Downs included Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Serengeti Empress, multiple graded stakes winner Mr. Money, and likely May 23 Matt Winn Stakes (G3) contenders Major Fed and Mr. Big News.

Racing at Churchill Downs is scheduled to begin May 16 with a first post of 1 p.m. Entries for Saturday's races will close on Tuesday.

As part of the provisions to resume live racing under strict guidelines and protocols, racing will be conducted at Churchill Downs with no fans, owners, or media until government officials lift restrictions. Only authorized racetrack employees and Kentucky Horse Racing Commission license holders who are providing support for a horse stabled at the facility are permitted on property. This specifically includes only trainers with horses stabled or racing on the facility grounds and those who are responsible for the care of the horses such as veterinarians, grooms, exercise riders, and farriers.