Churchill stable area opening delayed once again

Churchill Downs has delayed the reopening of stable areas at its Louisville track and a nearby training center to May 5, a setback that likely indicates that a return to live racing in Kentucky remains at least three weeks away.

In a press release, Churchill said that the company “must delay” the reopening while saying that officials for the company “are in ongoing discussions with state and local officials and public health experts about reopening its stable areas and conducting spectator-free racing under strict guidelines.” The opening of the stable area was initially pushed from March 17 to April 28 in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.

“We remain hopeful that our horsemen can safely return to work here in Kentucky sooner rather than later,” Kevin Flanery, the track’s president,said in a statement.

Churchill Downs was scheduled to open its spring meet on April 25, but the opening has been delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Kentucky Derby, the most popular and lucrative race in the United States, has been postponed to Sept. 5.

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Earlier this week, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said that a task force has been set up to begin evaluating a gradual loosening of restrictions that have kept many businesses from operating. The announcement of the task force came in the midst of growing calls from business operators and their political allies for more leeway.

Kentucky racing officials have been working over the past several weeks on plans to conduct spectator-free racing under protocols designed to prevent the spread of the virus, and some had said recently that Churchill might be able to reopen by mid-May. But those officials also have said that uncertainty surrounding the spread of the virus has made the future hard to discern amidst a general reluctance to press the government publicly for an okay.

“Horse racing is a unique agricultural business and serves as the prime economic driver for thousands of individuals in the Commonwealth,” Flanery said in the statement. “The Thoroughbreds we cherish need constant care, and it’s a testament to our horsemen who have constantly cared for them this winter and spring in different locales under unique circumstances. We’re working hard to reopen in a responsible and safe environment that will satisfy public officials.”

Churchill closed its backstretch at the end of last year to conduct renovations. Racing at Turfway Park, which is owned by Churchill, was stopped late in March with three days remaining in the meet, and horses have remained at the track to train. On Wednesday, Churchill confirmed that a backstretch worker and an employee of Turfway had tested positive for COVID-19 in the past three weeks, but that no additional cases have occurred since the two positives came up.

Live racing continues to be held in the United States at a handful of racetracks in Arkansas, Florida, California, Oklahoma, and Nebraska, though behind closed doors.