Report: Kentucky Derby To Be Postponed

March 17, 2020 8:49 am

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) –  The Kentucky Derby is being postponed from May to September because of growing concern about the coronavirus pandemic, according to a published report. The Courier-Journal of Louisville cited unidentified sources close to the race saying Churchill Downs will postpone the Derby from May 2 to Sept. 5. That would mark the first time in 75 years that the race won’t be run on the first Saturday in May. A formal announcement by the racetrack will be made Tuesday. The last time the Derby wasn’t held on the first Saturday in May was in 1945, when the federal government issued a ban on horse racing because of World War II.