Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs, located on Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, is a thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs has also hosted the renowned Breeders' Cup on five occasions, most recently in 2000, and is scheduled to host that event again in 2006. Churchill Downs Incorporated owns and operates the racetrack.
History
The track is named for John and Henry Churchill, who leased 80 acres (320,000 m²) of land to their nephew, Colonel M. Lewis Clark (grandson of explorer William Clark). Clark was president of the Louisville Jockey Club and Driving Park Association, which formed in 1874. His father-in-law, Richard Ten Broeck, was an accomplished horse breeder and trainer, and introduced Clark to horse racing, attenting the English Derby at Epsom Downs outside London.
Churchill Downs filled a void in Louisville left by the closing of Oakland and Woodlawn, two earlier race courses. The then-rural location was located along Louisville and Nashville Railroad tracks, allowing for easy transport of horses. Clark, who preferred longer races to the relatively short ones that had become popular by the 1890s, and was also running short of funds, and in 1893 sold the track to a syndicate lead by William Applegate. The new ownership would soon institute many changes, such as shortening the length of the signature race to its modern 1 1/4 mile, commisioning the famous twin spire grandstand in 1895, and addorning the winner of the Derby with a garland of roses, a tradition that also began in 1895.
In the early 1902, Applegate turned over operation of the track to Charles F. Grainger, then the mayor of Louisville, in an effort to move Churchill Downs away from being primarilly known for gambling. A new clubhouse was built, to promote social interaction, and new events such as steeplechases, automobile races and band concerts were held at the track. The State Fair was held on the grounds, featuring the odd spectacle of two locomotives being intentionally crashed head-on in the infield.
In 1908, parimutuel betting machines were introduced as gambling began to be less controversial again, and the wagering portion of the track's business became more profitable.
Churchill Downs was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
Facilities
The twin spires atop the grandstands are the most recognizable architectural feature of Churchill Downs and are used as a symbol of the track and the Derby. They were designed by architect Joseph Dominic Baldez and built in 1895. Today, Churchill Downs covers 147 acres. Seating capacity is 51,000, though crowds at the Derby can reach over 140,000 because of standing-room only admission to the paddock and infield. The dirt oval main track, on which the Derby is run, is one mile in circumference and is 79 to 80 feet wide, with a 120-foot wide section for the starting gate. A turf track, inside the main track, is 7/8 of a mile and 80 feet wide.
From 2001 to 2005, Churchill Downs underwent a three-and-a-half year, $121 million renovation. The clubhouse was replaced, 79 luxury suites were added, and the historic twin spires were refurbished. One of the additions in the clubhouse was a 36-foot mural by Pierre Bellocq depicting all 96 jockeys to win the Kentucky Derby from 1875 to 2004.
Racing at Churchill Downs occurs in two meets. The spring meet starts one week before the Derby and continues until July. The Kentucky Derby is held the first Saturday in May and the Kentucky Oaks is run on Friday, the day before the Derby. A fall meet picks up in October and closes in November.
In addition to the track, clubhouse and stables, Churchill Downs also contains the Kentucky Derby Museum which focuses on the history of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs. The museum also contains a number of exhibits exploring the training and racing of thoroughbred horses. It includes a 360-degree cinema that shows the short film "The Greatest Race," a documentary about the Kentucky Derby. The museum is open year-round.
See also
- List of attractions and events in Louisville
- Kentucky Derby Festival
- Kentucky Derby winners
- Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
- List of graded stakes at Churchill Downs
References
- Thomas, Samuel W. 1995. Churchill Downs:A Documentary History of America's Most Legendary Race Track
- Schriener, Bruce. 2005. "Historic track unveils $121 million facelift." Associated Press. April 28.