Kentucky Derby to be held with limited fans
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Churchill Downs officials announced Wednesday a plan that will limit attendance for the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby to less than 23,000.
The plan includes no general admission, and the infield will be closed. Reserved seating will be limited to a maximum of 40% occupancy. Standingroom tickets have been eliminated.
Temperature checks, medical questionnaires, physical distancing and mandatory face coverings will be required. Each guest will receive a “Healthy at the Track” bag, which will include a disposable mask, a pocketsized hand sanitizer and a personal stylus for non-contact self-service wagering. Churchill Downs said offenders will receive a warning; repeat offenders will be escorted from the property.
“The opportunity to safely welcome back a limited number of guests to Churchill Downs on the first week of September is a privilege that our team doesn’t take for granted,” said Churchill Downs racetrack president Kevin Flanery.
“Our extensive plan meets or exceeds all recommended state and local guidelines.”
Track officials announced March 17 that the 146th Kentucky Derby would be postponed from May 2 to Sept. 5 but were confident the delay would allow fans to attend.
All three Triple Crown races were rescheduled because of the pandemic. Tiz the Law won the Belmont on June 20, two weeks after its originally scheduled date. The Preakness was postponed from May 16 to Oct. 3.