Home of the Kentucky Derby. Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., who built Churchill Downs, wanted his track to have a race that would rival England's Epsom Derby. He visited England to study both its tracks and its races then returned to Louisville to establish the Derby, which was first run on May 17, 1875.

The Downs, as it is called today, has become the world's most legendary race track and also operates an off-track betting and training facility called Trackside Louisville.

The track has two courses:

Main Track (dirt): One and one-eighth miles, oval.

Turf Course: Seven-eighths Mile, oval.

Chuchill Downs Race Meets:

Spring Meet - April to July 6

Fall Meet Month of November

Post Times: 1:15 p.m.

The Downs by the numbers:

Main Course: One mile, oval

Turf Course: 7/8th mile, oval

Seating Capacity 48,500

Parking Capacity: 4,000

Admission:

Prices: (except Oaks and Derby Days)

$2.00 clubhouse/grandstand, senior citizens

$1.00; children 12 and under admitted free when accompanied by an adult

$2.00 reserved seat, $3.00 Derby Week; $4.50 Skye Terrace fee

Oaks Day: $25 general admission

Derby Day: $40 general admission

Contact Info:

Mailing Address

Churchill Downs, Inc.

700 Central Avenue

Louisville, Kentucky 40208-1200

Street Address

700 Central Avenue

Louisville, Ky. 40208-1200

(Approximately 4 miles from downtown, 3 miles from Louisville International Airport)

Race Results & Payoffs