Churchill Downs Front and Center for Spring Meet

Set to unveil to racegoers a new paddock that is part of a $200 million capital improvement project, Churchill Downs opens for its spring meet April 27, one week before the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1).

Anticipation is high for this year's meet, sparked by interest in a new paddock and its surrounding seating and mingling areas, which have been well received by visitors in pre-meet visits. Last year's Derby runners were saddled in a temporary paddock while construction was paused.

This year is also a milestone year for the $5 million Derby—its 150th running—creating further publicity. Churchill will draw the Derby earlier than usual this year, one week before the race. The draws for the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Kentucky Derby, is scheduled between the third and fourth races Saturday night from approximately 7:15 p.m.-7:45 p.m. ET.

There is a scheduled hour-plus break between the third race at 6:56 p.m. ET and the fourth race at 8 p.m. First post time is 6 p.m.

Racing shifts to Churchill after the spring meet concludes at Keeneland April 26.

Last year's spring meet at Churchill Downs also generated publicity, though of the negative variety after a number of equine fatalities in the lead-up to the Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown. About a month later, with fatalities continuing, the spring meet was moved to the Churchill Downs Inc.-owned Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky.

Investigations yielded no singular explanation for the incidents, though both Churchill and the overseeing Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority aim to avoid a repeat in 2024. In one move, CDI hired longtime California regulatory veterinarian Dr. Dana Stead this winter as its equine safety and integrity veterinarian. He joins CDI's equine medical director, Dr. Will Farmer, on staff.

The track surfaces at Churchill will be under close watch—its dirt track, to which HISA acknowledges improvements to what it already considered a good surface, and a beleaguered turf course that has been unable to sustain planned usage in recent years. During the off-season, in an effort to deepen the root system, Churchill used an aerator and vertically cut into the grass to remove organic buildup.

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The turf course, laid with sod in the fall of 2021, has been most problematic during the cooler, low-growth times of the year, so usage during the fall meet, more so than the spring, may provide a stiffer test. 

Ninety-three horses and 12 also-eligibles were entered for Saturday's 10-race card, including 10 in the featured $200,000 Roxelana Overnight Stakes for older fillies and mares on dirt at six furlongs.

Stakes winners Last Leaf , Positano Sunset , Zeitlos , and Dazzling Blue  are among those entered in the Roxelana, the ninth race at 10:46 p.m.

An allowance and allowance claiming race are on the grass Saturday night, ranging in value from $127,000 to $134,000 for Kentucky-bred horses, and a dirt maiden race worth $120,000 is on the card, contested at the Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles. In years past, Churchill Downs has given a test run to its continuous 20-horse Kentucky Derby starting gate in 1 1/4-mile races during the early part of Derby week.

Trainer Chris Hartman has the most entries on the opening night card with five principal entries, plus one also-eligible. Hall of Famers Steve Asmussen, D. Wayne Lukas, Shug McGaughey, and Bill Mott are among other trainers with horses in competition on Saturday.

A deep group of accomplished jockeys is in town at Churchill Downs. Some will stay only through Derby week, while others, such as Jose Ortiz, plan to remain this year for the full spring meet.