Churchill Downs Inc. says it will move the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby to Saturday, September 5.
Derby officials say the late-summer Derby would mark the first time the race isn’t held the first Saturday in May since 1945 when it was postponed to June during the waning months of World War II.
The move comes amid growing concerns about large public gatherings in the coming weeks and months.
President Trump on Monday urged Americans to restrict their discretionary travel and avoid gatherings of more than 10 people for the next 15 days. The Derby routinely has more than 150,000 people in attendance.
Churchill now plans to run the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, September 4.
Officials said NBC Sports is in talks with other racetrack operators to move the Preakness and Belmont.
The race is just the latest event to be delayed in America’s rush to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Every major professional and collegiate event has been canceled or postponed, and many states have outright bans on gatherings of above a few hundred people.
