The Kentucky Derby is going to try and pull off a scenario the Indianapolis 500 couldn’t.
On Wednesday morning, officials at Churchill Downs announced fan limits and health protocols for the rescheduled 146th running of the world’s most famous horse race.
Slated to run Sept. 5 after being postponed from the first Saturday in May due to the COVID-19 pandemic, track officials are seeking to avoid what the Indy 500 has been forced into — operating its signature event with empty seats and all fans banned from the premises.
Under the announced plan, attendance will be capped at 14% of the total Churchill Downs capacity of the 2015 record turnout of 170,513 with a maximum crowd allowed of 40% seating capacity.
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Of course, the Derby is renowned for also featuring the liveliest, fun-loving, wild-and-crazy infield mob of any sporting event, and in these perilous times when social distancing is stern policy, it would not do to cram as many humans as possible into the 26-acre infield.
Historically, infield behavior has been legendary for close quarters contact, and not all of it dancing. The Derby’s 62-page health plan to conduct a safe horse race will keep the infield empty. No general admission tickets will be sold.
No limits on fancy up in Derby attire and hats, but you must have a reserved seat.
The $3 million Derby is the true jewel of the American Triple Crown of horse racing, usually the kickoff race for three-year-olds ahead of the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. This year, as is true of most of American society, the thoroughbred scene has been scrambled.
The races that usually rivet the horse player through the spring were rescheduled. The Belmont, usually last to go, took place June 20 and was won by Tiz the Law, the horse looming as the Derby favorite. The Preakness, usually conducted in Baltimore in mid-May, is now scheduled for Oct. 3.
Churchill leadership always has been committed to holding a Kentucky Derby, in a bubble as it conducted the spring meeting or in more guest-friendly openness like this. Officials are clinging to a plan that will help the 1¼-mile come off in as normal as possible.
When more than 20 million people around the world have been afflicted by the coronavirus and about 750,000 people have died from the disease, normal is very much a relative term.
Anyone who has had the privilege of attending a Derby surely made a special memory. The race is described as the most exciting two minutes in sports, but the spirit, the atmosphere, the lead-up, the drama, the suspense all contribute to a mood, a setting that combine to enhance those 2 minutes of thundering hooves.
The Kentucky Derby is the most avidly followed horse race by Americans, especially Americans who do not pay attention to horse racing the other 364 days of the year. It provides a glimpse into Kentucky culture. It makes mint julep drinkers out of teetotalers. It creates admirers of horses as splendid, swift-running, perfectly toned and well-muscled athletes.
Usually, the Kentucky Derby overshadows all life in Louisville and Kentucky horse country for a week or more with parades accompanying six-figure stakes races, parties with a built-in excuse to dress up and act out.
This will not be the same carefree Derby. There is mourning for more than 167,000 deaths across the land. Kentucky has not been immune. But Kentucky’s number of virus cases is around 35,000, some 40,000 fewer than neighboring Indiana with about 780 deaths, much fewer than many other states.
Churchill Downs is taking a shot, and it is a worthwhile, optimistic effort, even if at the gate and to move around inside fans must have temperatures taken, fill out medical questionnaires, maintain social distancing and wear masks (decorated with little horses or not).
“Our extensive plan meets or exceeds all recommended state and local guidelines,” Churchill President Kevin Flanery said. “We’ve received an exceptional level of support from regulators, medical experts and public health authorities.”
Which seems not to have been so for Indy 500 officials, who hoped to open Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 25% capacity but now will be at zero capacity.
Flanery said Churchill Downs will “make adjustments all the way up to Derby day.”
Flanery no doubt meant his comment otherwise, but it can be read ominously since the virus is more like Godzilla unleashed.
Lew Freedman is the Sports Editor for The Tribune. Send comments to [email protected].