Kentucky Derby postponed until September due to coronavirus

The first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown will be delayed.

Churchill Downs Incorporated announced Tuesday that it is moving the Kentucky Derby from its traditional date in early May to Sept. 5 due to the growing coronavirus pandemic.

This marks only the third time that the Derby isn't run in May. It was moved to April in 1901, and to June in 1945 because of a horse-racing ban during World War II.

Churchill Downs had already delayed the opening of its stables until the end of March thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The fate of the other two Triple Crown races, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, are not yet known.