Louisville

It can be one of a farm manager's biggest headaches: the weather. As Spring brings severe weather across central Kentucky, farms across the state are forced to deal with multiple threats along with the changing seasons--snow or ice storms, heavy rain and flooding, high winds, lightning, and even tornadoes. With herds of horses scattered across hundreds of acres, those fast-moving Spring systems require a farm to be ready at a moment's notice to keep both human and equine safe. A strong area of low pressure swept across the region Friday,...

Churchill Downs Racetrack on Tuesday released the 2023 "Official Art of the Kentucky Derby" created this year by renowned international artist Romero Britto. Britto's work for the 149th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve highlights his iconic approach of mixing bright colors with unique patterns. With sparkling, textured accents and elements of pop graphics, the art features subtle details that bring the racetrack scene to life, highlighting the energy and excitement of the Derby in a modern way. "The Kentucky Derby has such a rich history, and we are thrilled...

Faced with expected high temperatures, Churchill Downs has moved up its first post time Wednesday. Originally scheduled for 12:45 p.m., the day's first race will now go off at 10:30 a.m. The final race of the day will go off at 2:20 p.m. Admission gates will open at 9:30 a.m. Additionally, morning training hours Wednesday at Churchill have been changed to 5-8 a.m. with one renovation break at 6:30 a.m. The National Weather Service's early forecast for Louisville Wednesday calls for a high near 98 degrees and a 20% chance...

Thursday's eight-race program at Churchill Downs has been cancelled because of excessive heat in the Louisville area. Racing at Churchill Downs is scheduled to resume Friday at 12:45 p.m. ET, although track officials will continue to monitor the forecast. Any decision about cancellations in extreme weather conditions is made through consultation with CDI's Equine Medical Director, track management and regulatory officials. Many factors, including temperature, humidity and wind speeds, are evaluated to ensure the safety and well-being of human and equine athletes. Churchill Downs will be open for simulcast wagering...

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...

The Backside Learning Center will host Thoroughbred Owner's Derby Handicapping Social at the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Thursday from 5-7 p.m. The event, sponsored by Rocket Ship Racing, LLC, will feature a 2022 Kentucky Derby handicapping seminar with a panel of the industry's top experts: Caton Bredar, Joe Kristufek and Brandon Stauble, with NBC's Donna Barton Brothers moderating. Special guest Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale will be on hand to talk about his personal experiences dedicating much of his life to philanthropy. The evening also serves as a launch for BLC's "Purses...

The Backside Learning Center (BLC) will host the "Thoroughbred Owner's Derby Handicapping Social" at the Louisville Thoroughbred Society on Thursday, Apr. 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event, sponsored by Rocket Ship Racing, LLC, will serve as a launch for BLC's initiative Purses for a Purpose, in which owners can invest directly in the backstretch workers who are vital to the racing industry. Through Purses for a Purpose, owners can pledge to donate customizable portions of their horses' winnings, with the money going directly to programming at the...

A new historical racing machine (HRM) entertainment venue named Derby City Gaming Downtown will be opened in Louisville, according to Churchill Downs. The 43,000-square-foot venue will include 500 HRMs, a fresh-air gaming area, three unique bars, and a retail and merchandise store. Construction on Derby City Gaming Downtown will begin later this year with an anticipated opening date in early 2023. "CDI is committed to investing in the city of Louisville and today we are particularly excited to announce this new downtown entertainment venue," said Churchill's CEO Bill Carstanjen. "Our...

Churchill Downs Racetrack will host a public ceremony Sept. 16 at 11:00a.m. to dedicate and unveil commissioned statues that honor the late John Asher and Col. Matt Winn. The statues, sculpted by local artist Raymond Graf, depict Asher sitting on a horse shoe bench and talking with Winn, who oversaw the early growth of the Kentucky Derby into America's greatest race. The statues are positioned on the north side of the saddling paddock in the Plaza area. Churchill Downs officials, Graf and members of the Asher and Winn families will...

Churchill Downs has unveiled plans for three capital investments to the historic Louisville track, beginning with the Homestretch Club for Kentucky Derby 2022 and culminating with a Paddock area redesign for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby in 2024. The Homestretch Club will renovate and update the grandstand area adjacent to the Twin Spires along the track's homestretch. The project will convert what is currently outdoor bleacher seating next to the Winner's Circle Suites and below the Jockey Club Suites into three unique seating options with all-inclusive amenities. Ticketed...

LOUISVILLE, KY - Two years ago, Brad Cox got the phone call that every trainer wants to receive. "I got a call one day from Jimmy Bell and he said that he'd like to meet me at Churchill one morning," Cox said of his initial conversation with the Godolphin USA president. "It was an honor to get a call like that. We met in my office and he said that they'd like to send us some 2-year-olds. You knew there were gonna be runners in that group and that they'd...

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) will open a first-of-its kind farm designed to give the Louisville community and fans from around the world a direct connection to the horses at the heart of horse racing. The new TRF Sanctuary Farm at Chestnut Hall will be the permanent home of 11 horses from the organization's national herd of 500 retired Thoroughbred racehorses. These "herd ambassadors" will serve as educators to tell the story of the long life and diverse second careers that await these equine athletes when their racing days are...