Guests can watch Derby and Oaks horses prep for their respective outings (JennyPhoto/Past The Wire)
Churchill Downs Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky.— Starting Thursday and continuing through Wednesday, May 3, Churchill Downs will be open free-of-charge daily from 7-10 a.m. so guests can watch the nation’s top 3-year-old Thoroughbreds train toward their engagements in this year’s Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks during Dawn at the Downs.
Horses train on Churchill Downs’ main track daily from 5:15-10 a.m. There will be an exclusive training window only for Derby and Oaks participants from 7:30-7:45 a.m. following the 7-7:30 a.m. renovation break. Those horses will be identified by special saddle towels which include their names: yellow saddle towels for Derby horses and pink saddle towels for Oaks contenders.
Guests can enter Churchill Downs through the Paddock Gate and should park for free in the nearby Orange or Green Lots entering at Racine Ave. for convenient entry. Guests will be directed to Sections 115-117 to watch the morning workouts.
Churchill Downs’ Paddock Grill will be open each morning with breakfast food and beverage options. No outside food and beverage is allowed. Also, the Churchill Downs store with Kentucky Derby 149 merchandise will be open each morning.
On Sunday and Monday, fans can enjoy a premium breakfast in Millionaires Row or the Stakes Room for Dawn at the Downs Dining. Tickets and more information can be found on www.KentuckyDerby.com/DerbyWeek.
The 149th runnings of the $1.25 Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) and $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) will be held Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7, respectively. Opening Night of Derby Week and the 44-day Spring Meet is Saturday.
