Special Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks Training Starts Saturday, April 23 from 7:30-7:45 a.m.
Between Saturday, April 23 and Wednesday, May 4, 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.
Horses train on Churchill Downs’ main track daily from 5:15-10 a.m. Beginning Saturday, 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.
Kentucky Derby Morning Works presented by TwinSpires.com will begin Monday and air on www.kentuckyderby.com/works, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Fans in attendance will be able to watch the show on the track’s Big Board and infield televisions.
The first two days of Kentucky Derby and Oaks training (Saturday and
Sunday) also will be live-streamed on the Kentucky Derby’s social media channels, but without commentary.
Guests can enter Churchill Downs through the Paddock Gate and should park for free in the nearby White Lot for convenient entry.
Guests will be directed to Sections 115-117 to watch the morning workouts.
No outside food and beverages are allowed.
Churchill Downs’ Paddock Grill will be open each morning with
breakfast food and beverage options.
Also, the Churchill Downs Store will be open daily featuring all of the best official race merchandise, collectibles, drinkware, party supplies, gifts, apparel, and gear for men and women in advance of the Kentucky Derby.
On Sunday, May 1, and Monday, May 2, fans can enjoy a premium breakfast in Millionaires Row or the Stakes Room for Dawn at the Downs.
Tickets start at $41 and can be purchased on www.KentuckyDerby.com/tickets.
The 148th 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, April 30.
