Churchill Apologizes for Admission Delays
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Photo: Courtney V. Bearse
Churchill Downs racing on Oaks day
Churchill Downs issued a statement saying it is tweaking its admissions procedures that resulted in lengthy delays for some ticketholders for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) card May 6.
“A significant number of our patrons experienced long lines and wait times while entering Churchill Downs Racetrack," the statement said. "We experienced issues with our admissions process and, after making adjustments in the process lines moved more quickly and efficiently through the afternoon."
The Louisville Courier-Journal reported the snafu is a result of several changes in ticketing and admission procedures, including having ticketholders enter only designated gates that put them closer to their seating sections and having wristbands required for some areas attached at the gate rather than the respective seating section as in the past.
“We are working now to adjust and improve our admission process in an effort to make entry to the track for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) as smooth and efficient as possible,” Churchill said in a post on Twitter late Friday.
The Friday program attracted an Oaks record 124,589 patrons.