Churchill Downs is “tightening its security policies for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks in response to the Boston Marathon bombings,” according to a front-page piece by Gregory Hall of the Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL. The new policies “expand the list of items banned from the track, including coolers and purses larger than 12 inches.” The track’s guidelines “were revised after the bombings and bring back some of the restrictions imposed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.” Those policies “had been relaxed” since the ‘02 Derby and Oaks. The resumption of the cooler ban is the “biggest change, although coolers will be sold along with ice in the infield.” Coolers “were first banned in 2002, before being allowed again in 2009.” While some cameras and phones with cameras "will still be allowed, camcorders, tripods and other video equipment will be banned along with cameras that have detachable lenses or cameras equipped with lenses more than 6 inches long.” Churchill Downs also is “increasing electronic wand searches at admission gates and entrances for employees, vendors and media.” All items carried into the track through those gates “are subject to search by officers from Churchill Downs security and law enforcement” (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 4/19).
