Turtle Race to Replace Kentucky Derby This Weekend

Since 1946, the first Saturday in May has compelled Americans to brush up on their mint julep-making skills for the running of the Kentucky Derby. But the horse race has been postponed to September of this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the Kentucky Turtle Derby cropping up in its stead. The first Turtle Derby was actually run in 1945, when the federal government suspended horse racing due to World War II. Old Forester Bourbon is sponsoring this year’s race, which will start on Saturday at 7 p.m. local time.

The race will be called by Triple Crown announcer Larry Collmus, who tells the AP, “I don’t think I’ve called a race that’s eight minutes long. I’m going to have to drink plenty of water to prepare for that one.”