Coronavirus Spread, Racial Justice Demonstrations: Louisville Mayor Won’t Attend Kentucky Derby

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer told the Courier-Journal on Thursday that his current plan doesn't include attending this year's Kentucky Derby, rescheduled for Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs. Fischer usually does attend the annual event.

Churchill has already announced it will close the infield and restrict the number of attendees for this year's race, down from approximately 150,000 to 23,000.

Fischer cited the rising rate of coronavirus cases in Louisville, which his chief medical officer, Dr. Sarah Moyer, has compared to a “wildfire,” as well as the racial justice demonstrations being planned for that day in Louisville by the NFAC. The demonstrations are a response to the death of Breonna Taylor, a nationally publicized case in which the Black woman was fatally shot by Louisville police.

“We do expect some people in town for that,” Fischer said. “Obviously we want to make sure we're connected to everything that's going on and planning accordingly. Like every day, that will be a busy day, just a little more so with the running of the races.”