\u201cThere\u2019s so much uncertainty. We don\u2019t know when we will be able to start the project. Obviously, everything is on hold for the time being.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nStill, Sayre said Laguna is excited about the potential for an expanded and refurbished Ellis Park.<\/p>\n
When asked if the expansion could benefit from a possible share of revenues from a September Derby, Sayre said he wasn\u2019t sure those two issues were related.<\/p>\n
Other Implications<\/h2>\n A Kentucky Derby in September doesn\u2019t just affect Ellis Park. It would have large repercussions in horse racing, and not just with the other Triple Crown races.<\/p>\n
The Preakness Stakes is set for Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on May 16, and the Belmont Stakes is set for June 6 at New York\u2019s Belmont Park.<\/p>\n
Pimlico, owned by The Stronach Group (TSG), runs a limited meet and only in the spring. It also owns Laurel Park, which is located halfway between Baltimore and Washington, DC. Laurel is scheduled to run in September. Maryland state law does allow for the Preakness to be run elsewhere in case of an emergency.<\/p>\n
In a statement sent late Monday night, the TSG’s Maryland Jockey Club said it’s working with state and local governments, as well as other stakeholders in racing and media to determine the next steps for the traditional second leg of racing’s Triple Crown.<\/p>\n
“Our first priority in these difficult times is the health and welfare of our industry participants and the public at large… While we are mindful of the challenges these times present, we also know that events like the Preakness Stakes can help restore our sense of place and economic well-being to our communities and state. As soon as we have further clarity on these matters, we will inform all,\u201d<\/strong> the statement read.<\/p>\nThe 2020 fall dates in New York have not been published, but Belmont ran in October last year.<\/p>\n
\n
Besides the Triple Crown races, a number of key Kentucky Derby preps and even some major summer races will likely be affected by a rescheduled Run for the Roses. That could include the Haskell Invitational, which is set for July 18 at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, and the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in New York. The Travers, like the Haskell, is a major race for 3-year-olds and set to run on Aug. 29, a week before a reportedly rescheduled Kentucky Derby.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
A message to the New York Racing Association was not returned Monday night.<\/p>\n
Regarding the Haskell, Monmouth Park CEO Dennis Drazin told Casino.org<\/em> in an email everything\u2019s on hold until the Derby announcement is made.<\/p>\n\u201cRight now, we have to see what Churchill, NYRA, and Maryland decide,\u201d<\/strong> he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Kentucky Derby, one of America\u2019s top sporting and gambling events, will move to September as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Churchill Downs Inc. announced Monday afternoon it would hold a press conference Tuesday at 9 a.m. ET to discuss the timing of the prestigious horse race. Hours after that, media reports citing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":130227,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14577,16],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Sept. Kentucky Derby in Works as Ellis Park in Talks with Churchill Downs<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n