Louisville adjusts to new Kentucky Derby date

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Postponing the Kentucky Derby was jarring enough for a city that draws much of its identity from hosting horse racing’s marquee event.

Canceling it, well, that’s unthinkable in the Bluegrass State.

The move of the Triple Crown’s first leg to Labor Day weekend due to the coronavirus pandemic will mark the first time the Derby won’t run in Louisville on the first Saturday in May since 1945.

“This is what makes Louisville great, obviously, and Kentucky great,” said Andy Treinen, president and CEO of the downtown

Frazier History Museum. “The race is important and all eyes in the world are on Louisville at that time.

“That doesn’t mean they won’t work in the summer. I hope that they do. If we survive this period because of [the] coronavirus and I think we will, what does that look like in the summer? Because the summer’s already heavily scheduled around here.”

The Associated Press is looking at the impact of the cancellation or postponement of some iconic sporting events due to the coronavirus pandemic on cities and communities. Churchill Downs never considered canceling the 146th Derby.

Louisville Tourism estimates the economic impact of Kentucky Derby season on the region at more than $400 million, a figure that includes the Kentucky Oaks race for fillies run the day before the Derby.

Instead of canceling the race, it was moved from May 2 to Sept. 5. Whether the $400 million estimate holds up this fall remains to be seen with the Derby running on a holiday weekend that also kicks off the college football season.

Another consideration is how the region’s mindset shifts from the Derby being a rite of spring to closing out the summer.

But fans, patrons and business owners have time to adjust as Louisville breathes a sign of relief — for now.

“This is a far better scenario than canceling, so we hope the race in September will help mitigate that economic impact over the next few months,” said Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, president and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc., the Metro Chamber of Commerce.

“You ask anybody here in Louisville, most people are not concerned about the difference between May and September. They were concerned that it would be canceled, and the fact that it wasn’t is a big relief.”