Churchill Downs could have more Derby fans than expected

The Kentucky Derby could be open to fans at a higher capacity than initially expected after Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced on Monday that many businesses in the state will be allowed to open to 60 percent capacity.

Churchill Downs had been expecting to try for maximum capacity of 40-50 percent for the Kentucky Derby, according to Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen during an earnings call Thursday.

“This is an initial step where we’ll watch and see,” Beshear said Monday of the potential capacity increase. “To ensure that we don’t see a corresponding increase in cases or these dangerous variants changing what we’ve been seeing in our trends.”

COVID cases in Kentucky have been on the decline for several weeks according to CDC numbers.

According to a report from WDRB in Louisville, Churchill Downs President Mike Anderson said the track will do its best to increase its capacity, although some areas of the facility could make it difficult.

“Some of our spaces will be able to allow....50-60 percent easily," Anderson said in the WDRB report. "Some other areas, like dining and box seats, are a little bit more complicated as we continue to maintain social distancing requirements."

During the earnings call last week, Carstanjen said the possibility for adding more capacity for the Derby will remain open as the first Saturday in May nears.

Casrtanjen also left open the possibility that some general admission tickets could be sold.

“We may adjust our ticketing plans as we see further improvement in the circumstances surrounding the pandemic,” Carstanjen said. “We plan to deliver an exciting Derby week experience for all of our guests.”

Last year’s Derby was held in September instead of the traditional May date. It also had no fans in attendance.

Churchill Downs had initially submitted and been approved for some fans in 2020, but the downward trajectory of the pandemic caused those plans to be scrapped.

“We certainly expect to do much, much better in all categories than 2020 and plan on delivering an amazing experience that will blow our customers away,” Carstanjen said.

Tickets for the Derby, which is scheduled for May 1, as well as the Kentucky Oaks and the rest of Derby week, are available on the event’s website.