Churchill Downs Limiting Turf Racing to Aid New Course

When Churchill Downs announced in late 2020 that it would replace the track's original turf course, the $10 million investment was a sure-fire sign of how serious it took the undertaking. 

Now, to aid the immature course, which was laid down last fall and first used this spring, turf racing will be limited to two races a day beginning June 11. The track's spring meet continues through July 4. 

The track announced the decreased volume in a notice that appeared on a recent overnight. Entries for 19 upcoming races in its condition book will be taken for dirt, rather than turf.

"We've decided it's best to limit turf racing to two races per day for the remainder of the spring meet to allow the new turf course to continue to mature and become more robust," said Churchill Downs senior director of communications Darren Rogers in a statement. "We've had good, open dialogue with the riders. The grass has been cut short to promote the continued root growth."

The new turf is part of an overhaul that involved replacing the original surface of the Matt Winn Turf Course with a blend of fescue and bluegrass. The original surface dated back to 1985 when Churchill Downs began turf racing. The prior turf course sometimes experienced issues in late fall. 

"We have complete confidence it'll be more robust for additional turf racing later this year with just a little more time," said Rogers.