Churchill Downs

Dreaming of Julia Leads Field of 11 in Kentucky Oaks

Rick Howlett — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:22:17 +0000

A field of 11 is set for Friday’s running of the 139^th Kentucky Oaks.

The post positions for the fillies-only race were drawn this morning at Churchill Downs.

The early favorite, at 3 -1, is Dreaming of Julia, one of four Todd Pletcher-trained entries. Jockey John Velazquez will be aboard.

Coolers, Big Purses Added to List of Banned Items for Kentucky Derby and Oaks

Joseph Lord — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:56:54 +0000

Churchill Downs is revising the items people can bring into the racetrack during the Kentucky Derby and Oaks because of security concerns raised from Monday's bombing at the Boston Marathon.

Kentucky Derby Festival Events Will Be Held As Scheduled Despite Boston Bombings

Associated Press and Rick Howlett — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 02:36:10 +0000

Kentucky Derby Festival officials say all festival events will go on despite the bombings at the Boston Marathon.

KDF President Mike Berry said Monday nothing will be canceled. The festival puts on 70 events around the Kentucky Derby, including the massive Thunder Over Louisville air and fireworks show set for Saturday.

Festival officials estimate some 800,000 people could show up along the Ohio River waterfront in Louisville and southern Indiana to watch the annual show.

Churchill Downs Gets Approval For September Dates

Rick Howlett and The Associated Press — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 19:48:08 +0000

Churchill Downs has been given the go-ahead to offer a third racing meet starting next year.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission voted Tuesday to give the track a third live racing meet in September.

The schedule will be added to Churchill's traditional spring and fall meets.

The 12 additional dates will be Churchill's first all-September meet since 1890. The dates have traditionally gone to Turfway Park in northern Kentucky.

Churchill Downs Offers Top-Notch Guests New Venue

Devin Katayama — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:19:04 +0000

Churchill Downs officials have announced its $9 million renovation project to create "The Mansion" and will soon offer its preferred guests a chance to enjoy races in luxury.

This is how significant the new space will be: The Mansion is pushing the Gold Room--which serves certain VIPs--down to floor two. But, given the Gold Room is expanding as well it’s not such a bad thing.

Churchill Downs Revises Racing Schedule Amid Heat Wave

Rick Howlett — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:24:25 +0000

The final three days live racing for the Churchill Downs spring meet will be held Friday through Sunday, but under a revised schedule.

High temperatures around the 100 degree mark forced Churchill Downs to cancel its Thursday racing card. Spokesman Darren Rogers says it was just the 18th time in the track’s long history that the races were called off.

"All of those (were) weather-related in some fashion, but that is the first time we’ve ever had to cancel due to extreme heat," he said.

Heat Wave To Grip Area For Several Days

Rick Howlett — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 18:29:32 +0000

A heat wave that will linger over the region for the next several days will produce high temperatures in the triple digits.

That has health officials cautioning those who have to be outside to consume plenty of liquids and avoid overexertion.

University of Louisville Hospital emergency department physician Laura Tudor says low humidity levels will make coping with the heat a bit easier.

Artist LeRoy Neiman Dies; Subjects Included Ali, Derby

Rick Howlett — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 15:38:33 +0000

Artist LeRoy Neiman has died at age 91 in New York.

Neiman was best known for evoking the kinetic energy of the world's biggest sporting and leisure events with bright quick strokes. He was a contributing artist at Playboy magazine for many years and was the official painter of five Olympiads.

Churchill Downs Changes Qualifications for Kentucky Derby

Devin Katayama — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:37:12 +0000

In an attempt to gain fans, Churchill Downs Incorporated is adopting a new points system for entry into the Kentucky Derby and will cut the number of qualifying stakes races considered for entry from 185 down to 36.

"Our primary driving motive is to create new fans for horse racing," said CDI chair and CEO Bob Evans in a press release.

Homicide at Churchill Downs Casts Spotlight on Backside of Track

Brad Yost — Sun, 13 May 2012 12:15:00 +0000

The homicide of a Churchill Downs worker, 48 year old Adan Fabian Perez of Guatemala, the day after Derby has raised questions about the culture of backside work at racetracks.