LOS ANGELES: Leading trainer Bob Baffert said Saturday that May鈥檚 146th Kentucky Derby could be postponed as racing went behind closed doors at California鈥檚 Santa Anita track for the first time since it opened in 1934 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Officials at Churchill Downs revealed Saturday that they were considering the 鈥渢iming鈥� of the showpiece and Baffert 鈥� who has saddled five winners in the 鈥淩un for the Roses鈥� 鈥� said that the first leg of US racing鈥檚 Triple Crown could be pushed back from May 2 to later in the year.
鈥淐hurchill Downs is saying they鈥檙e not going to run the Derby without the people there, so I鈥檓 hearing may be June or in September,鈥� Baffert said after saddling Charlatan to a big win in an allowance race at a deserted Santa Anita.
Only accredited media, owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms and a limited number of track employees were allowed in.
Major professional sports in the US have been brought to almost a complete standstill by the coronavirus pandemic, with the NBA, NHL and MLS suspending play and Major League Baseball pushing back the scheduled start of their season by 鈥渁t least two weeks鈥� while suspending pre-season games.
The PGA Tour season has also been suspended but Baffert said it was the postponement of the season鈥檚 first golf major, the Masters at Augusta National next month, that had really caught his attention.
鈥淲henever they cancel the Masters, that鈥檚 like the Derby,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e never seen anything like this, it鈥檚 kind of scary. Hopefully they can get everything under control.鈥�
In a statement posted on its website, Churchill Downs indicated it was considering its options for the Kentucky Derby.
鈥淲e recognize that the impact of this iconic event extends well beyond the historic racetrack of Churchill Downs,鈥� the statement said.
鈥淭he Kentucky Derby is a cherished and important time for the City of Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
鈥淲e 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.
鈥淔or 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.
鈥淲e thank you for your patience and are committed to providing regular communication and transparency as we move forward.鈥�
Churchill Downs said it expected to have an update in the coming week.