From Boston to Churchill, With Terror

Very glad to see Derby officials are not panicking in the wake of the Boston bombings, although security is likely to be a nightmare.

Because of course the goal of the bombers is exactly that: cause panic and over-reaction that disrupts society, sets people against each other and undermines confidence in the community protection of self-government.

From the Courier:

It’s too soon to say whether the explosions at the Boston Marathon will result in security changes for the Kentucky Derby and Derby Festival — but Thunder over Louisville will go on as planned, officials said Monday.

“We will huddle with our many law enforcement partners” over the coming days to review security plans for the May 4 event, said Churchill Downs spokesman John Asher. “That’s something we do every year, especially since 2002.”


About 450 law enforcement personnel from local, state and federal agencies provided security at Churchill Downs on Derby Day last year, officials said then.


The Thunder Over Louisville fireworks and airshow, which draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to the banks of the Ohio River each year, will continue as scheduled Saturday, officials of the Kentucky Derby Festival said during a Monday news conference in the wake of the Boston explosions.


Festival Chief Executive Officer Mike Berry said the same is true for the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and Mini-Marathon scheduled for April 27. Those events are expected to draw 17,000 race participants and about 40,000 spectators, Festival Vice President Matt Gibson said.