The Kentucky Derby will ban backpacks for the 139th annual racing event at Churchill Downs in Louisville on May 4, in the wake of the deadly Boston Marathon bombings.
The Kentucky Derby is expected to draw close to 250,000 fans. The Derby will be the nation's largest sports event since the marathon was held on April 15.
The extra security at the Derby is just latest in a slew of sporting events for which security have been beefed up for fans' safety.
Scroll down for video.
Security: Officials at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. have announced that extra security measures will be implemented for the horse race on May 4 (pictured the 135th Kentucky Derby in 2009)
Churchill Downs announced security policies for the Derby and Oaks, which is held the Friday before the historic race, on April 12 but after meeting with law enforcement officials following the blasts in Boston, the track strengthened its procedures.
Coolers, cans, fireworks and camcorders are among the items banned from the infield. Fans will also be subjected to an electronic wand search and are encouraged to watch for unusual and suspicious behavior.
More...
The hunt for Misha: Bomb investigators search for mysterious 'bald, red-bearded Armenian man' accused of radicalizing Tamerlan
Marco Rubio: Hillary Clinton 'is going to have to explain' the State Department's Benghazi failure if she runs for president
Will this be the NFL's first openly gay player? College star attempting to kick his way into the big leagues
'These are not wholesale changes, but these would not have happened without the events that happened' at the Boston Marathon, Churchill Downs spokesman John Asher said.
'We don't want fans looking over shoulders,' he said, 'but if they see something suspicious, they should notify personnel at the track. ... We're just hoping that fans are more aware of their surroundings.'
Kentucky Derby bans backpacks after Boston Bombings
Historic: Thousands of spectators are expected to descend on the Louisville racetrack for the 139th derby (pictured a woman in a stylish hat at the 2012 derby)
As the nation moves forward after the tragic events that hit Boston last week, security has been stepped up at large gatherings across the nation.
This week, the National Football League announced extra security measures would be in play for the NFL draft, that kicks off on April 25, in New York City.
League officials said everyone who attends the annual event at the Radio City Music Hall in Midtown Manhattan will be subject to screenings, including the use of metal detectors and pat-downs, and searches of personal property.
The security screening will even apply to NFL officials, players, draftees and their families.
'There will be some very visible things and we'll also be doing things behind the scenes that people won't notice,' NFL security chief Jeff Miller told WNBC-TV, about measures they have implemented in conjunction with New York Police, federal law enforcement officials and private security firms.
Protection: The National Football League has revealed extra security will be in place at the NFL draft in New York City on Thursday night (pictured top NFL draft prospects pose for a group photo at Radio City Music Hall)
The head of security for the NFL said that at NFL games across the country, the league has instituted new measures that includes 20 per cent more security personnel and K-9 explosive detective teams.
'In light of the current state of affairs, we decided to make adjustments for the fans' safety,' Miller said.
'We had a concern about individuals that might want to replicate what occurred or approach another sporting type event. This is the first large event in New York City on the sports events side since the events in Boston,' he said about the upcoming draft.
Miller suggested that in the future, fans may not be able to take backpacks into NFL stadium.
'I am a proponent always that we have to be careful about allowing bags in stadiums,' Miller told the NBC TV station. 'I am not a big fan of that; there are too many variables there.
'It is part of our best practices protocols at stadiums to not allow the large backpacks. We say if you do allow bags, they must sit within the template for size [typically 12 inches or smaller].
The National Hockey League has similarly reviewed safety measures in the wake of the terrorist attack in Boston that killed three and left more than 260 injured.
'We have coordinated with all of the buildings in which NHL games are being played and appropriate steps are being taken to ensure the buildings are secure and safe,' NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told the MailOnline.
A rep from the MLB did not respond to a request for comment. A rep from the NBA could not be reached for comment.