Churchill Downs announces start date for Spring Meet. No fans allowed for now.

One day after receiving clearance from Gov. Andy Beshear to begin working toward a resumption of horse racing in Kentucky, Churchill Downs has put forth a Spring Meet schedule.

The meet was originally set to get underway last Saturday but was put on hold to slow the spread of COVID-19. When racing resumes, no fans will be allowed to attend initially.

Churchill’s first day of Spring Meet racing will take place Saturday, May 16. That’s five days after Beshear’s date announced Wednesday at which the racetrack could re-open its stables.

The Louisville track will host racing May 16-17. After that, live racing will be staged Thursdays through Sundays, with a special Monday holiday card set for Memorial Day on May 25. Post time for the first race each day will be 1 p.m.

Churchill’s vice president of racing, Ben Huffman is crafting a condition book for the schedule of races, including a revised stakes schedule, and is expecting to release that online this weekend so horsemen may begin preparations.

The stable areas will reopen under a phased, systematic approach, according to guidelines outlined by Beshear’s office, working in concert with Churchill officials.

Horses at Fair Grounds in New Orleans may return to Churchill’s stable areas May 11-13. Those at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla., Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Fla., and others based at Florida training centers may return May 14-16. Horses from Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., may come back May 17-19, and any from other locales are welcome May 20 or later.

Racing will be conducted without spectators until government officials approve their return.

In the meantime, only authorized racetrack employees and KHRC license holders who are providing support for a horse stabled at Churchill will be permitted on the property. This specifically includes only trainers with horses stabled or racing at Churchill and those who are responsible for the care of the horses (veterinarians, grooms, exercise riders and farriers).

The 2020 Kentucky Derby, originally scheduled for May 2, was previously moved to Sept. 5.