Louisville adjusts to new date and season for Kentucky Derby

Postponing Kentucky Derby was jarring eugh for a city that draws much of its identity from hosting horse racing’s marquee event.Canceling it, well, that's unthinkable in Bluegrass State.

move of Triple Crown’s first leg to Labor Day weekend due to coronavirus pandemic will mark first time Derby won’t run in Louisville on first Saturday in May since 1945.

“This is what makes Louisville great, obviously, and Kentucky great,” said Andy Treinen, president and CEO of downtown Frazier History Museum. “ race is important and all eyes in world are on Louisville at that time.

“That doesn't mean y won't work in summer. I hope that y do. If we survive this period because of COVID-19 coronavirus and I think we will, what does that look like in summer? Because summer's already heavily scheduled around here.”

Instead of canceling race, it was postponed; race was moved from May 2 to Sept. 5. Wher $400 million estimate holds up this fall remains to be seen with Derby running on a holiday weekend that also kicks off college football season.

Ar consideration is how region’s mindset shifts from Derby being a rite of spring to closing out summer.

But fans, patrons and business owners have time to adjust as Louisville breaths a sign of relief — for w.

“This is a far better scenario than canceling, so we hope race in September will help mitigate that ecomic impact over next few months,” said Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, president and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc., Metro Chamber of Commerce.

“You ask anybody here in Louisville, most people are t concerned about difference between May and September. y were concerned that it would be canceled, and fact that it wasn't is a big relief.”

While Kentucky Derby remains on sports docket, its new calendar date might confuse fans accustomed to women in big, colorful hats and men in bright seersucker suits. Spectators sip mint juleps featuring Kentucky’s trademark bourbon, and cigar smoke wafts through air.

Louisville prides itself on those Derby scenes.

hope is that y continue in September, ideally with Derby kicking off a rescheduled Triple Crown if Preakness and Belmont Stakes also move to fall.

For businesses that generate much of ir revenue from Derby, postponement has created an immediate challenge of filling calendar with work and clients. That has become difficult with many restaurants and retail outlets in Bluegrass State closing because of pandemic.

A delayed Derby has forced milliner and Louisville native Kenzie Kapp to temporarily stop creating those women’s hats synymous with race season. She has been left scrambling to find ideas befitting a signature event that’s a little too early for earthy tones.

“When I think of Labor Day, I think of it as summer and it's usually hottest time and sticky,” said Kapp, who has owned Mill by Kenzie since 2008. “Doing Derby in May, you have your spring, bright colors. I don't really think that palette's going to apply unless you have specific people that come in and want really fall colors.

“I'm t going to go browns, oranges and yellows if it's a hundred degrees out.”

Cigar maker Jason Shepherd also hoped Derby would again spike business after winter doldrums. two-week period that begins with Thunder Over Louisville air show helps generate about 25% of income for his store located a few miles from Churchill Downs.

J. Shepherd Cigars had eight parties planned for Derby week, and owner isn't sure if those clients will return four months later.

“With wear changing and being able to be outside, I will start booking events again,” Shepherd said. “Especially after being quarantined, people are itching to get out and do something. I'll focus on doing my oldest events since we lost this huge event.

“It’s all up in air. ... But we're going to try to keep moving and pushing forward like we always do.”

bourbon industry is also having to adjust. Distillery tours are on hold because of coronavirus precautions, but activity figures to quickly ramp up if and when restrictions are lifted, including Derby preparations since it's hard to imagine one without or in this region.“We'll just shift to new timing,” Heaven Hill Brands president Lauren Cherry said.

Meanwhile, Louisville is remaining optimistic about delay.“September is a wonderful time to be in Kentucky,” Davasher-Wisdom said. “ wear is great, it's bourbon month and re are also several live music festivals, so this may work out.”

(Im Credit: AP)