By US Racing Team
Seven Trumpets – US Racing Photo
Racing!
Finally, it’ll be post time at Churchill Downs for live racing starting Saturday, May 16. First post 1 p.m. ET.
A day after news that the historic track would re-open its stable areas on May 11 with approval from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, the track said Thursday the spring meet would start five days later, with no spectators and only essential personnel permitted on the premises.
After running on May 16-17, Churchill Downs will operate Thursdays-through-Sundays with a holiday Monday card on Memorial Day, May 25.
The news comes just before the first Saturday in May, the traditional date for the running of the Kentucky Derby, which was rescheduled to Sept. 5 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Ben Huffman, Churchill’s vice president of racing, is putting together a condition book for the schedule of races, including a revised stakes schedule. The track said the schedule is expected to be released over the weekend.
The stable areas will reopen under a phased, systematic approach under strict health and safety guidelines regarding COVID-19.
The spring meet was scheduled to open on April 25.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
