Kentucky Derby adds safety changes after multiple horse deaths last year

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It’s officially Derby week, and this year, there have been some new safety changes.

Derby staff say they are enforcing new rules like requiring that horses be at Churchill Downs a week prior to the race.

They’re also limiting how many races horses can run in the eight weeks prior to the Derby.

This comes after 12 horses had to be put down in the weeks surrounding last year’s race.

A full list of these changes are available on the Kentucky Derby’s website.

Don’t forget, you can catch all the Derby action right here on WNKY NBC News 40.