A couple of days ago, we noted that Churchill Downs is changing the start time of the Kentucky Oaks to prime time to appease the network execs at NBC. We also noted that this won’t be good for some Louisville businesses. As Louisville Business First puts it:

Derby weekend won’t be the same next year, following the news that Churchill Downs is pushing the running of the Kentucky Oaks back to 8 p.m. or later.

We chat about the impact of that on this week’s Access Louisville podcast.

Churchill Downs announced the change on Thursday, July 24. Typically post time for the race, which runs the day before the Kentucky Derby, is scheduled shortly before 6 p.m. NBC executives say the race will move to NBC and Peacock, and the primetime post will allow for a “spectacular twilight finish.”

The big impact will likely be how restaurants and bars evolve their dinner service. They’re obviously losing a few hours — though it’s hard to imagine that restaurants will actually be empty at dinner time on Oaks Day. We’ll surely be watching how restaurants respond come next May.

We already know how this is going to affect one Louisville restaurant. Last night, we dined at Anko Sushi on W. Woodlawn Ave., an excellent Japanese restaurant that’s a short drive from Churchill Downs, and we asked the manager how they do when Derby week rolls around.

The answer: They don’t.

They close for Derby, because the interstate exit leading to the restaurant is closed off, so no one can get there. Access Louisville should note that, if they’re going to examine how Churchill Downs’ presents a burden to local restaurants.