Limited Two-Day Kentucky Derby, Oaks Ticket Packages Go on Sale Wednesday at Tickets.Churchilldowns.Com

(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the first time in its storied history, Churchill Downs will give the general public an opportunity to purchase special two-day ticket packages to its world-famous Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks via the racetrack’s new online box office, http://tickets.churchilldowns.com.

A limited number of seats – 3,000 for Oaks Day on Friday, April 30 and 3,000 for Derby Day on Saturday, May 1 – have been allocated for this online exclusive and will go on sale Wednesday, Dec. 16 at noon EST.

Prices for the two-day bundled seat packages range from $172 for individual first floor grandstand bleacher seats on both days to $6,390 for a six-seat box in the third floor clubhouse with daily access to the exclusive Secretariat Lounge.

“The Kentucky Derby and its sister race, the Kentucky Oaks, are extraordinary spectacles that people all over the world hope to experience at least once in their lifetime,” said Kevin Flanery, Churchill Downs Racetrack president. “This holiday season, we’ve set aside approximately 6 percent of our inventory to make it easier for the Louisville community, sports fans and entertainment seekers to obtain these usually hard-to-get reserved seats through our new and convenient online box office.

“For the last few years, we’ve tried to make more tickets available to the general public through last minute ticket lotteries and select on-track promotions. People camped out overnight in the cold and waited in long lines just to have a chance to grab Derby tickets in our on-track lottery. They don’t have to do that now; the tickets are just a mouse-click away. This is a more convenient continuation of that effort, with modest and premium price points available in our supply.”

This online exclusive offer will include third-floor clubhouse box seats in sections 312-314 (50 boxes or 300 seats); first-floor clubhouse box seats in section 111 (166 boxes or 996 seats); second-floor grandstand bleacher seats in sections 222-225 (300 seats); and first-floor grandstand bleacher seats in sections 121-128 (1,404 seats). Those who want to purchase box seats must purchase the entire box, which includes seats for six.

The third-floor clubhouse box seat packages include admission to the luxurious Secretariat Lounge, an exclusive, upscale, indoor hospitality area that will feature premium gourmet food, an open bar, televisions, betting kiosks and live music between races.

Customers can also advance purchase general admission tickets to the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands for $40 and the Kentucky Oaks for $25.

Ticket prices vary based on location. There is a purchase limit of six seats or one box per order. Tickets must be purchased with a Visa credit or debit card. Minimal ticket processing charges will apply.

This offer is exclusive to http://tickets.churchilldowns.com; no sales will be made in person or by submitting letters, e-mail or telephone calls to Churchill Downs.

Two-Day Kentucky Derby & Kentucky Oaks Reserved Seat Tickets (Limit 6 Per Person)

First-Floor Grandstand Bleacher Seats

(Sections 121-128; total of 1,404 seats)

* Section 128 – $172 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
* Section 127 – $183 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
* Section 126 – $188 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
* Section 125 – $195 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
* Section 124 – $197 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
* Section 123 – $200 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
* Section 122 – $202 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
* Section 121 – $207 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Second-Floor Grandstand Bleacher Seats

(Sections 222-225; total of 300 seats)

* Section 225 – $214 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
* Section 224 – $218 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
* Section 223 – $222 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
* Section 222 – $225 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

First-Floor Clubhouse Box Seats

(Section 111; total of 166 boxes or 996 seats)

* Section 111 – $1,500 per six-seat box (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Third-Floor Clubhouse Box Seats with Access to Exclusive Secretariat Lounge

(Sections 312-314; total of 50 boxes or 300 seats)

* Section 312 – $6,132 per six-seat box (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
* Section 313 – $6,204 per six-seat box (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
* Section 314 – $6,390 per six-seat box (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

It has never been easier to purchase tickets to Churchill Downs, thanks to the fresh technology at http://tickets.churchilldowns.com. The easy-to-navigate, one-stop shop Website designed by SeatAdvisor, Inc. allows patrons to seamlessly view, choose and purchase exact reserved seat locations throughout the vast facility.

In addition to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, customers can purchase packages to other 2010 events at Churchill Downs, including six “Downs After Dark” nighttime racing events scheduled for June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2, Oct. 31 and Nov. 19.

Customers are advised to visit http://tickets.churchilldowns.com frequently as inventory is continually added.

Purchasers of tickets through this online offer will agree to not resell these tickets at a premium in excess of the amount shown on the ticket or to package these tickets for resale together with hospitality, travel or other services and to not purchase – either directly or indirectly – more than the “per person” ticket limit (six seats) established for this online offer. Churchill Downs reserves the right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to cancel ticket purchases, including without limitation, voiding online transactions and refunding amounts paid by persons violating these conditions of sale. See http://tickets.churchilldowns.com for the complete terms and conditions of this online offer.

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will host the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 1 and the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, April 30. The track will conduct its 2010 Spring Meet from Saturday, April 24 through Sunday, July 5. Churchill Downs is scheduled to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a record seventh time on Nov. 5 and 6, 2010. Churchill Downs tickets are available at tickets.churchilldowns.com or by calling (502) 636-4400. Additional information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

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Churchill Downs Set to Race under the Stars as Night Racing Debuts on Friday, June 19

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Churchill Downs will conduct the first of three historic “Downs After Dark” night racing sessions on Friday, June 19, as the home of the Kentucky Derby turns up the lights for the first time in its 135-year history. After the spectacular premier of the “Downs After Dark” racing experience, two additional sessions will follow on Friday, June 26, and Thursday, July 2, with the latter serving as a first-of-its-kind kickoff for Independence Day festivities and the closing weekend of the 2009 Spring Meet.

Admission gates will open at 4 p.m. (all times EDT) for each session of night racing, with first post for each 11-race card scheduled for 6 p.m.

“Racing is at the core of everything we do at Churchill Downs, and it remains as important to us today as when we first opened our gates in 1875,” said Kevin Flanery, senior vice president of Churchill Downs Incorporated. “But one hundred and thirty-five years changes a lot of things, and as we seek to redefine the racetrack experience and keep our sport relevant for today’s customers, we are excited to offer the night racing experience under the Twin Spires for the very first time. We hope our customers will enjoy the upscale evenings we have planned, which will offer our guests the perfect blend of a night on the town and the excitement of Thoroughbred racing.”

As usual, the on-track action at Churchill Downs will match talented horses from top stables ridden by many of America’s greatest jockeys. The racetrack itself, however, will be transformed into Louisville’s ultimate entertainment hotspot for the “Downs After Dark” experience. On June 19, customers will receive a celebrity welcome into Churchill Downs with the chance to walk the red carpet, which will be richly decorated with colorful buntings and seasonal flowers. Journalist Angie Fenton and Kentucky Derby 2009 Chief Party Officer Nick “RiNickulous” Ferrara will be on hand to interview guests as they arrive, adding to the “celebrity arrival” feel. Once inside, the Downs will come alive with color and live music for an extended “Happy Hours” celebration to remember.

The paddock area will offer sleek and comfortable seating areas open to the general public, a beer garden presented by Budweiser Select at Gate 17, and food and beverage specials that include grilled shrimp skewers, grilled vegetable kabobs, grilled beef and chicken skewers, premium a la carte hors d’oeuvres, and classic racetrack favorites. Regional favorite Endless Summer Band and internationally renowned VJ 2ndNature will offer high-energy covers of modern rock, pop and hip-hop music. The “Happy Hours” event will continue from opening until 8 p.m.

Numerous specialty bars will be open throughout the facility during each night racing experience. VIP guests will enjoy access to balcony parties in the clubhouse and specialty bands featuring the jazz sounds of TA2 Latin Sounds and Swing 39, as well as quiet lounge areas throughout the clubhouse illuminated in soothing mood lighting.

Night racing programs at Churchill Downs will offer exciting dining options for the first-ever evening of racing under the Twin Spires. They include the following:

* “Dinner by Design” in the Stakes, Aristides and Directors Rooms offers an upscale option for guests seeking an elegant night on the town. A lavish evening is planned, with a sumptuous five-course dinner designed by Tony Mantuano, the award-winning and critically acclaimed executive chef of Spiaggia in Chicago, the Windy City’s only four-star Italian restaurant. The experience will be completed by celebrity chef appearances, including a visit by Levy Restaurants Executive Chef Jo Jo Doyle, as well as wine pairings and a full bar package until 9 p.m. “Dinner by Design” reservations are available at a cost of $150 per guest.
* “Date Night” in Millionaires Row 4, Millionaires Row 6 and other premium areas will offer a “supper club” feel for couples enjoying a night out. As guests arrive, a selection of appetizers will be brought to their tables, including antipasto platters and an amuse bouche of shrimp tango. A Chef’s Table® featuring the main course of beef sirloin and chicken criolla accompanied by a selection of sides will open at 6:30 p.m., and a flambé action station will offer classic desserts until 10 p.m. Live music and dancing cap off the unforgettable evening. Reservations in Millionaires Row 4 are available at a cost of $59.90 per guest. Reservations in Millionaires Row 6 include a full bar package and are available at a cost of $95 per guest.
* The Matt Winn Dining Room is offering an elegant Chef’s Table® dining experience complete with live music from a jazz trio. Reservations are available for $49.90 per guest.

Churchill Downs will offer reserved clubhouse seating for $15 in advance, which includes admission, a box seat in the third-floor clubhouse and a program. Prices are effective for the June 19 date only. For reservations and availability, please contact Churchill Downs at (502) 636-4400.

Admission to “Downs After Dark” is $10 on June 19 and $6 on both June 26 and July 2. Members of Churchill Downs’ free customer rewards program, the Twin Spires Club, and seniors age 60 and older will be admitted for just $1 each night. Twin Spires Club signups will not be available during “Downs After Dark,” but interested parties are welcome to sign up on any live racing day outside of Gate 10 or at any Twin Spires Club service desk inside the racetrack.

Churchill Downs is offering a special reduced-price $15 package for admission to all three night racing sessions. The “Downs After Dark” package ticket may be purchased by calling (502) 646-4400. It will also be available at the reserved seating booth inside Gate 17 beginning Thursday, June 4, and outside of Gates 1, 10 and 17 on June 19.

Parking for “Downs After Dark” is free in the Longfield Avenue lot, with on-site parking available on a first-come, first-served basis. Valet parking will be available. Churchill Downs will also offer free parking at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium and will run free round-trip shuttle service throughout the evening.

Kentucky Derby 135 Tickets Available for Sale Online

(BUSINESS WIRE)--With Kentucky Derby 135 only two months away, Churchill Downs, the legendary racetrack that hosts the annual “Run for the Roses,” is pleased to announce that online advance ticket sales for general admission and select reserved seats to the Kentucky Derby and its companion event, Kentucky Oaks 135, are now available at www.kentuckyderby.com/2009/tickets/buy.

Selected levels of ticketing, including $40 general admission Kentucky Derby infield tickets and premium Infield Suites and Marquee Village locations, will be available at face value via the new online purchase platform offered by Churchill Downs and TicketReturn. General admission tickets provide the same access that patrons may enjoy by purchasing admission on the morning of the Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks, which includes first-level access to the public areas behind the grandstand and clubhouse, as well as infield access. Tickets to the premium Infield Suites and Marquee Village locations offer seats and hospitality, which includes food and beverage service.

“We wanted to make buying tickets to the Derby easier for everyone,” said Mike Mossholder, vice president of sales for Churchill Downs Incorporated. “The new purchasing platform will allow any individual or group to find available ticket packages that perfectly suit their interests and budget. It’s the same concept that’s used to buy concert tickets and many other entertainment event tickets. With minimal effort, Derby-goers can instantaneously select their package and complete the transaction online from the comfort of anywhere they have Internet access.”

“We’re proud to partner with Churchill Downs for this offering of online tickets to the Kentucky Derby,” said Gordon Hirsch, vice president of marketing for TicketReturn. “This is the premier sports entertainment event of the Thoroughbred racing world and a testament to TicketReturn’s fast-growing popularity nationwide.”

The ability to buy tickets online enables Derby-goers to secure available reserved seats or general admission tickets weeks in advance of the Oaks and Derby and plan ahead for a truly special visit to the Derby’s host city, Louisville, Ky. Over the years, the Kentucky Derby experience has evolved into much more than a horse race. The weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby now encompass a whirlwind of special events with a little something for everyone.

The Kentucky Derby Festival, a two-week long, community-wide celebration, is a tremendous draw for tourists from around the country and offers more than 70 family-friendly events – many of them free of charge with Pegasus Pin admission (visit the Kentucky Derby Festival at www.kdf.org for more). Meanwhile, Churchill Downs offers live racing in the days leading up to the Derby with a variety of on-track entertainment options, as well as “Dawn at the Downs,” a chance for race fans to enjoy breakfast under the Twin Spires while watching Derby and Oaks contenders on the track, preparing for their moment in the spotlight.

For more information on the Kentucky Derby and how to purchase ticket packages, please visit www.kentuckyderby.com/2009/tickets/buy.

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Churchill Downs Announces Freeze in Most Ticket Prices for 2009 Kentucky Derby, Oaks

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Churchill Downs racetrack has announced a freeze in most ticket prices for the 2009 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, allowing customers to purchase the majority of reserved seats and general admission at the same price levels offered in 2008. The 135th running of the Kentucky Oaks will be held on Friday, May 1, 2009, while Kentucky Derby 135 will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2009.

“Our slowing economy is having a pronounced effect, and many of our customers have been affected in various ways as well,” said Bob Evans, president and chief executive officer of Churchill Downs Incorporated. “Although the Kentucky Derby occupies an elite spot in the world of sports and tickets are typically in high demand, we want to keep our price points at the same level to help our customers in this challenging economic climate. Our fans are critical to our success, and we hope this announcement makes it easier for them to join us on the first Saturday in May next year to enjoy the excitement of Kentucky Derby 135.”

The freeze in Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks ticket prices includes the majority of Churchill’s permanent seats, as well as most temporary seating areas and general admission on the day of the events. There will be a previously scheduled price increase by contract for customers in the 30-year personal seat license program, who are coming off a three-year price freeze by contract, and limited price increases in some luxury suites and for a handful of Marquee Village units adjacent to the Kentucky Derby Red Carpet venue, as well as a new price structure for a new reserved seating section in the infield that Churchill Downs will pilot in 2009.

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009. The track’s 2008 Fall Meet runs from October 26 through November 29. Churchill Downs is scheduled to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a record seventh time on November 5 and 6, 2010. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

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Churchill Downs to Become First U.S. Racetrack to Offer High-Definition Simulcasting

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Churchill Downs will become the first racetrack in the United States to offer simulcasting in high definition (“HD”) when it opens its 2008 Fall Meet on Sunday, Oct. 26. The HD signal will be rolled out progressively to select off-track betting locations (“OTBs”) and racetracks across the nation, as well as on-track in a variety of public areas.

“Churchill Downs is delighted to take the lead on this innovation and bring to our customers across the country the unparalleled quality and clarity that high definition provides,” said Tom Jenkins, vice president for Churchill Downs Incorporated. “From the day this technology upgrade was proposed, our goal was to focus on the end-user experience. We wanted to ensure that our customers, whether on-track or at simulcasting outlets, could enjoy the experience of high-definition racing from Churchill Downs, and that goal will become a reality on opening day of our 2008 Fall Meet.”

Churchill’s high-definition simulcast will present live racing in full 16:9 HD format, offering customers a larger and clearer view of the race itself. In addition, on-screen graphics and racing information will be presented in high definition within the 16:9 format, allowing for additional and enhanced wagering information for both the on-track and simulcasting customer. More than 100 HDTVs on-track at Churchill Downs will benefit from the high-definition signal. Those televisions will be spread throughout the facility in both luxury seating locations and areas open to the general public. Locations include the Silks and Champions Club Lounges near the ITW area, the Jockey Club and first-floor Jockey Club, the Turf Club, Gold Rooms 2 and 6, the Finish Line Suites lobby, and the Directors, Stakes and Aristides Rooms inside the clubhouse. The televisions will be marked with signage to help customers identify and enjoy the HD experience.

Churchill Downs is also working with select OTBs and racetracks across the country to provide the technology needed to take advantage of high-definition simulcasts. Installation of the necessary components is currently underway, and a full list of locations offering the Churchill meet in HD will be forthcoming.

The 2008 Fall Meet at Churchill Downs will also be offered in a typical standard-definition format for facilities without HD technology in place.

“Today’s announcement is just the first step in what we hope will be a continuing process of HD upgrades, expansions and improvements for our customers,” Jenkins added. “We’re also open to any interest from other simulcast outlets that may want to offer the Churchill Downs signal in high definition. We’re looking forward to receiving and acting upon feedback from our customers to continue improving their experience at the races.”

For nearly a year, Churchill Downs has worked with several technology providers to make its high-definition transition possible. Key among those is Roberts Communications Network, which helped devise a system to deliver HD simulcasts to OTBs in a manner that works with their existing television infrastructure. Two other major providers are International Sound Corp., which will provide the new high-definition graphics package with enhanced wagering information, and Thomson Grass Valley, which was chosen to provide the Kayak digital video production switcher and LDK 4000 mk II high-definition camera.

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009. The track’s 2008 Fall Meet runs from Oct. 26 through Nov. 29. Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships a record six times, and will host the international racing event again on Nov. 5 and 6, 2010. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

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