By Bill Finley
Just nine days after unveiling plans to allow about 23,000 spectators to attend the running of the Sept. 5 GI Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs announced Friday that no fans will be allowed to attend the race.
“We have made the difficult decision to hold this year's Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5 without fans,” read a statement from the track. “Churchill Downs and all of our team members feel strongly that it is our collective responsibility as citizens of Louisville to do all we responsibly can to protect the health, safety and security of our community in these challenging times and believe that running the Derby without spectators is the best way to do that. We deeply regret the disappointment this will bring to our loyal fans.”
Churchill Downs first announced plans June 29 to allow spectators. That came at a time when the COVID-19 numbers in Kentucky were relatively under control. However, the June announcement never specified how many fans would be allowed to attend. That was answered Aug. 12 when the 23,000 figure was released along with a 62-page operations plan. The plans included a mandate that patrons wear masks and the closing of the infield.
But the idea of having fans at the Derby seemed overly ambitious at the time because the coronavirus numbers in the state were climbing. According to the New York Times, there were 177 new cases in the state June 29 when the first announcement was made and 1,109 Aug. 12 at the time of the second announcement. The Times reported that were 1,067 cases Thursday.
A gathering of 23,000 at the Derby would have been the largest crowd assembled for any U.S. sporting event since the pandemic began.
On Thursday, Louisville mayor Greg Fischer said he would not be attending the Derby. He cited the high number of new coronavirus cases and protests being planned for Sept. 5 tied to the death of Breonna Taylor.
The Churchill announcement included a statement from Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, who backed the track's decision.
“The virus is still aggressively spreading in Kentucky, and the White House has announced that Jefferson County and the City of Louisville are in a 'red zone' based on increases in cases. This week alone the county had more than 2,300 new cases.
Beshear said, “I applaud Churchill Downs for continuing to monitor the virus and for making the right and responsible decision. I am asking all Kentuckians to take action to stop the spread of the virus so we can get back to the many traditions we enjoy, like the Kentucky Derby.”
Churchill officials said in the announcement they had made the decision after consulting with public health authorities and that the positivity rate had gone from 2% in June to its current figure of 10%.
“This year's Kentucky Derby was never going to be the celebration we're used to, but I could not be more grateful to our tremendous team members and community partners for all of their efforts. We've left no stones unturned and reached the right decision,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Inc. “We hope our fans, the Louisville community and our country find an opportunity over the coming weeks to reflect on the challenges we have faced this year as a community and as a nation, and work together toward a better and safer future.”
Only essential personnel and participants will be permitted on property.
Ticket holders for all Derby week race dates and related programming will be automatically issued a refund.
The June 20 GI Belmont S., which was the first leg of the Triple Crown this year, was also held without fans. No announcements regarding fans at the Oct. 3 GI Preakness S. have been issued yet by the Maryland Jockey Club.
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