Churchill Downs Spring Racing Tickets
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Louisville, KY
Louisville, KY
Louisville, KY
Louisville, KY
Louisville, KY
Louisville, KY
Louisville, KY
Louisville, KY
Louisville, KY
Louisville, KY
Overall Rating
4.1
By Djbklp
Party party
friendly staff, good band, place was buzzing, plenty of food and drink relaxed atmosphere everyone having a good time
By Djbklp
Down on the Downs
Great day @ the Races , 1St time visit loved every minute of it, the colour, the Stadium, the Weather, the Horses and the fact that you could virtually go anywhere meant that you could watch the Races in different sections
By AttackToKill
My dream came true!
I have always wanted to go to the Dawn At The Downs! And I finally did go! It was a amazing experience, one I won’t forget. Being that close to the horses training, having a amazing breakfast, with great hospitality! I would totally recommend this to anyone! I hope to go again next year!
By Icthroughu
Getting up at the crack of Dawn at the Downs
This event is well worth the effort of getting up before the bu## crack of dawn! Seeing the sunrise over the twin spires and watching the horses practice was magical. The buffet breakfast and staff were exceptional. I would recommend spending time walking around the museum and doing the paddock tour while you’re there. What a great experience.
By Popcorn2008
Super event
We thoroughly enjoyed Dawn at the Downs. It was a great value for the cost and the food was excellent. We would definitely attend this event in the future.
By pdiddynthefam
So Much History, So Much Fun!
All aspects of the event were exceptional ... Thank You for the amazing opportunity.
By Anonymous
It was great. Our first time. Would suggest two beverage tables with the second being closer to the other buffet instead of just the one.
By Tracke
Disappointing
What a disappointing morning at Dawn at the Downs. While service was 5 stars, the food was poor. It included cold hard bisquets, eggs that resembled instant and pastry that looked like it came off the grocery shelf. I was looking forward to hearing the commentator introduce the horses. The room, millionaires row, was a big echo. There were many tv screens but the sound was not audible. I assumed going in the stands near the announcers would be a resolution. Not so. I regret this being a “public” review as I intended on sharing my issues with the planners personally. But you asked.
By Mklikesit
A Day at the Races
It was an amazing day. By being there for Champions Day I had all the bling of the Derby without The costs or the crowds.
By RacingSpectator
Opening Night was fantastic!
I had familiy in Louisiville for the weekend and wanted to treat them to a distinctly "Louisvillian" event. Nothing speaks to Louisville and Kentucky better than horse racing at Churchill Downs. Everyone had a great time even though no one had experience with horse racing and betting. We acquired some programs and mint julips and began learning how to place bets attempting to use the correct jargon. Opening Night was a great event. Although you might not have the energy that you would experience at Oaks or the Derby, the crowds were smaller making it easier to navigate the area with our newbie crowd (total of 12). Parking was easy since they had shuttles from Papa John's stadium. The 12 reserved seats were not that expensive and once you are in the gates, you have the opportunity to roam and see the key points in person. All in all, everyone in our group had a great time. Since our group is a bunch of out-of-towners, having experienced Opening Night will resonate so much more when everyone sits down to watch the KY Derby this Saturday afternoon.
Info
About Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs is located in Louisville, Kentucky. The 147-acre venue serves as home to the annual Kentucky Derby and hosts three thoroughbred horse racing events during spring, September and other fall months. The Kentucky Derby is held on the one-mile dirt oval track, which is featured alongside a seven-furlong turf course. Over 5,000 horses cycle through Churchill Downs on a yearly basis for the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and other thoroughbred races.
The legendary track is known as much for its architecture and fashion as its events. The Twin Spires towering over the grandstand is perhaps Churchill Downs' most prominent aesthetic feature. Other than the grandstand, racegoers can sit in Millionaires Row, Sky Terrace, Turf Club or Clubhouse areas. The Kentucky Derby has become synonymous with 170,000-plus spectators arriving in lavish hats, dresses and suits, adding character to a spectacle that already has the longest-running history of any continual American sporting event in history.
Churchill Downs has welcomed the Breeders' Cup World Championship, a two-day, season-ending extravaganza involving horses, jockeys, trainers and owners worldwide, on eight separate occasions.
History of Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs was built upon 80 acres purchased by Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. from his uncles, Henry and John Churchill, in 1872. The debut race was held May 17, 1875, and consisted of the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Clark Handicap. The inaugural Kentucky Derby was captured by Aristides, while Bonaventure won the first ever overall race held at the track.
Churchill Downs has always held a certain pedigree, although the track didn't turn its first profit until 1903. Eventually, in 1938, Matt Winn was named president and dedicated a committee to turn Churchill Downs into a nonprofit that donated $1.5 million over 10 years. Decades later, another substantial change took place as president Steve Sexton initiated a renovation process during the years 2002-03. In 2009, Kevin Flanery took over as president where he remained in the position until 2020. Michael W. Anderson was named the 14th president of Churchill Downs Racetrack on December 22, 2020.