Churchill Downs is a historic racetrack located in Louisville, Kentucky. It is home to the famous Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown series of horse races. It has been a prominent venue for horse racing since 1875 and is the longest continuously operating racetrack in the United States.
What Races are Held at Churchill Downs?
Churchill Downs hosts a variety of horse races throughout the year, including the Kentucky Derby. It is also home to the Kentucky Oaks, the Kentucky Derby Festival, the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, the Stephen Foster Handicap, the Turf Classic, the American Turf Stakes, and the Breeders’ Cup.
How Often do Horses Race at Churchill Downs?
Churchill Downs is one of the busiest tracks in the country, hosting over 150 days of racing each year. Races are held from April to November, with most taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The track also hosts night racing on select days. During the Kentucky Derby, the track holds a full week of racing, with the Derby itself taking place on the first Saturday of May.
Thoroughbred Racing
Thoroughbred racing is the main focus of Churchill Downs. The track holds a variety of events throughout the year, including stakes races, allowance races, maiden races and claiming races. Stakes races, which are the most prestigious, are held on the first Saturday of each month and feature the highest purses. The track also holds a variety of non-stakes races throughout the year.
Harness Racing
Harness racing is also held at Churchill Downs. The track features Standardbred races throughout the year, with most taking place in the spring and fall. The track also hosts a variety of stakes races, including the Kentucky Sire Stakes, the American-National Stakes, the Breeders Crown, and the Kentucky Futurity.
Quarter Horse Racing
Quarter Horse racing is held at Churchill Downs on select days throughout the year. The track holds a variety of races, including the Kentucky Futurity, the Kentucky Derby Challenge and the Kentucky Derby Championship.
Event Days
Churchill Downs also hosts a variety of special events throughout the year. These include charity races, celebrity races, and special family days. The track also hosts a variety of holiday events, including the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby.
What are the Purse Amounts?
The purse amounts for races at Churchill Downs vary depending on the type of race. The highest purses are for stakes races, which can range from $200,000 to over $1 million for the Kentucky Derby. Non-stakes races typically have purses of around $50,000.
How Many People Attend?
Churchill Downs is a popular destination for horse racing fans. The track usually draws over 100,000 people for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, while other events typically attract around 10,000 people.
Where to Stay?
Visitors to Churchill Downs can stay at a variety of nearby hotels, such as the Galt House, the Brown Hotel and the Marriott Louisville. The track also offers a variety of accommodations, such as luxury suites and on-site camping.
How to Bet on Races?
Betting on races at Churchill Downs can be done in person or online. Visitors can place bets at the track, or at any of the off-track betting locations in the area. Online betting is also available through a variety of sites, such as TVG and TwinSpires.
Conclusion
Churchill Downs is one of the most iconic racetracks in the United States. It is home to the Kentucky Derby and a variety of other races throughout the year. Races are held from April to November, with most taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The track also hosts a variety of special events throughout the year. Betting on races can be done in person or online, with a variety of accommodations available for visitors.