Churchill Downs plans to have Kentucky Derby update soon

With every other major sports league and event suspended due to novel coronavirus, Churchill Downs will have a Kentucky Derby update soon.

The coronavirus pandemic has put a temporary hold on the sports and entertainment industry in the United States and around the world. Everything from the NBA to the Masters to March Madness has been postponed for the time being, movie release dates are being pushed back, and film and television production is on hiatus.

While most of these organizations have put everything on hold for a month or so, that leaves an event like the Kentucky Derby up in the air. The derby, which is scheduled for May 2, 2020, is more than a month away, making it difficult to judge whether the coronavirus situation will be under control by then, or whether sports and entertainment will still be under lockdown.

To that end, it’s not surprising Churchill Downs has yet to provide real update, but there should be one on the way within the coming week.

Here’s the statement Churchill Downs released on Saturday:

"“During times of uncertainty, our traditions provide a great sense of comfort. We realize, that for many of you, the Kentucky Derby is a treasured annual tradition, and for others, a bucket-list experience. The time-honored traditions of the Kentucky Derby are as much about the fans as the race itself.“We recognize that the impact of this iconic event extends well beyond the historic racetrack of Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Derby is a cherished and important time for the City of Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We are mindfully aware of our fans who travel from great distances to join us as well as our valued employees whose most intense preparations to host a world-class event begin now.“For these reasons, we have been working carefully and diligently with relevant health experts and authorities to ensure we make the most responsible decision regarding the timing of the 146th Kentucky Derby this year. We thank you for your patience and are committed to providing regular communication and transparency as we move forward. This is not a decision we take lightly and we expect to have an update about the Kentucky Derby and additional information on our upcoming Spring Meet in the coming week.“Our hearts are with those near and far who have been affected. Thank you for being a part of the Churchill Downs family.”"

A major event like the Kentucky Derby being suspended would be a major inconvenience for a lot of people, but if such a decision is to be made, it’ll have to be made soon. We’ll know more within the coming week.