Churchill Downs

Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) will launch a $185- to $200-million redesign of the paddock that will be in place for the 150th GI Kentucky Derby in 2024. The "Paddock Project," a massive expansion and redevelopment, is the final phase of CDI's three-year capital investment plan. The transformation will increase the current 5,000 square feet of guest space to 12,000 square feet, update the capacity inside the paddock from 1,000 to 2,400 people, and add various club spaces and seating, including 3,612 new premium reserved seats and 3,250 new standing room-only...

Teruya Yoshida's Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) worked a bullet half-mile in :46.40 at Churchill Downs Wednesday morning in advance of the May 7 Kentucky Derby. With regular morning partner Masa Matsuda aboard, Crown Pride cut out fractions of :11.60, :23.20 and :46.40, galloping out in 1:00.20 and 1:14.80 while working in company with the 4-year-old Southern Passage. Crown Pride left Japan Mar. 17 to travel to Dubai where he won the G2 UAE Derby before arriving in Louisville Mar. 30. Wednesday's work was his fourth since his...

With zero debate or discussion preceding unanimous votes on two separate agenda items, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) on Tuesday adopted rewritten rules aimed at increasing transparency. The major changes include lifting prohibitions on the public disclosure of alleged violations, new guidelines that establish a 60-day time frame for holding hearings, and the opening of those hearings to anyone who wants to observe them. Tweaks to the equine drug-testing process are also in the pipeline. They include a requirement for owners and trainers to select an approved lab for...

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association is hosting an Ownership Seminar on Wednesday, May 4, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Attendees will learn insights on different aspects of Thoroughbred ownership from industry professionals and enjoy a day of racing at Churchill Downs during the week of the Kentucky Derby. Topics include, but are not limited to, Thoroughbred veterinary care, aftercare, purchasing & managing of racehorses, equine insurance, and handicapping basics. Some of the speakers include trainer Kenny McPeek, Erin Halliwell of Thoroughbred Charities of America, and Dr. Russell Freeland,...

It's long been an appealing part of American lore how the GI Kentucky Derby is unique compared to every other race run during the year. The emphasis has traditionally been on young horses getting exactly one chance to run a distance they've never before attempted, against the largest field they'll likely ever encounter; in front of the biggest on-track crowd they'll ever experience. But the 21st Century has gradually added dynamics to the Derby's legacy that have shaped the race in ways that could not have been fathomed even one...

Trainer Steve Asmussen sent his GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks hopefuls out to work at Churchill Downs Sunday morning. Winchell Thoroughbreds' Derby contender Epicenter (Not This Time) worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 (3/4), while Oaks hopeful Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) went the same distance in a bullet 1:11.80 (1/4). With exercise rider Wilson Fabian in the saddle, Echo Zulu broke to the inside of regular workmate King Ottoman (Curlin), who was ridden by former jockey Eddie Martin, Jr. Echo Zulu worked through eighth-mile fractions of :12.20, :23.80, :35.60...

With two weeks remaining until the first weekend of May, several chief protagonists for the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Longines Kentucky Oaks turned in some key breezes in Kentucky and California. Jeff Drown's Zandon (Upstart), who cemented his spot in the Derby field with an eye-catching victory in the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland Apr. 9, has remained in Lexington to train up to the big race and went a half-mile in :48.60 (see below). The $170,000 Keeneland September graduate covered his opening furlong in :12.80, then...

It was a busy Friday morning at Churchill Downs with 10 GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks contenders logging their penultimate work prior to the first weekend in May. Half of those workers were from Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher's barn--Oaks contenders GII Gulfstream Park Oaks runner-up Goddess of Fire (Mineshaft) (five furlongs, 1:00.80); GI Central Bank Ashland S. winner Nest (Curlin) (four furlongs, :49.80); and unbeaten G3 UAE Oaks heroine Shahama (Munnings) (five furlongs, 1:00.80) and Derby contenders GI Curlin Florida Derby runner-up Charge It (Tapit) (five...

"The Derby gods." It's a device that tells us rather more about us than them. We know there's no such thing, really; and that if they did exist, they would find sadistic satisfaction in stringing us along in the delusion that they will ultimately even out their torments and benedictions, only to let the ground fall away beneath us just as we reach for the stars. But that's actually how our way of life-inherently so frivolous, just a herd of ponies running round in circles-connects us with the fundamentals of...

Between Saturday, Apr. 23 and Wednesday, May 4, Churchill Downs will be open free-of-charge daily from 7-10 a.m. so visitors can watch GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks hopefuls train. Beginning Saturday, there will be an exclusive training window for Derby and Oaks participants only from 7:30-7:45 a.m. Derby horses will use yellow saddle towels, and Oaks contenders will bear pink saddle towels. Visitors should enter the track through the Paddock Gate and can park for free in White Lot. Morning workouts can be viewed between Sections 115-117 of...

Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow--Catch the Moon, by Malibu Moon), winner of last year's GIII Lecomte S. and runner-up in the GI Preakness S. and GI Runhappy Travers S., died suddenly Sunday at Churchill Downs. Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds and trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the $525,000 KEESEP yearling purchase died from an "acute gastrointestinal situation," Asmussen said. The news was first reported by Daily Racing Form. A close third in the G1 Saudi Cup Feb. 26 and fifth, beaten 3 1/2 lengths, in the G1 Dubai World Cup last...

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association's annual Kentucky Derby Trainers' Dinner, always a popular event in the lead-up to the GI Kentucky Derby, has been set for Tuesday, May 3 at The Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Ky. Cocktails will start at 6 p.m. with dinner service beginning at 6:45 p.m. Attendees will enjoy an evening of cocktails and dinner, as well as reviews of important Kentucky prep races and will include interviews with the trainers of this year's Kentucky Derby contenders. Net proceeds of the event go to support backside charities...