Churchill Downs

11/15/05

Have fun at the races. by Judy W. at InsiderPages

Contributor at Insider Pages

I like going to Churchill Downs and watching the horse races. We usually go a few times during the year. This is a fun place to go. We always go into the club house, and usually pay a bit more and go up to the third or fifth floor. On the fifth floor you can see the horses run around the entire track. This floor has you sitting inside, but there is a small area where you can step outside. Expect to spend a lot of money at this place. You pay to get in, for a program, to make bets, and for the food. Food is pretty expensive. On occasion, they have special days where hot dogs and drinks are only a dollar. The restrooms on the first floor are not that nice, they are dark and dirty. The restrooms on the third and fifth floors are nice, and have hair spray, body spray, and candy sitting by the sinks. I only wish the smoking ban had been applied here, yes you can still smoke here. There are some non-smoking areas inside, but you still have to put up with some idiot smoking outside. Parking is now free.

It's the crown jewel of the Bluegrass State.

by Contributor at Citysearch

Overview
Churchill Downs, founded in 1875, is the oldest American sports facility in continuous operation. Competition is world-class. Races run from the end of April through the beginning of July and the end of October through November. Seats in the grandstand are cheap, but they're not the track's best. It costs a bit more to get into the clubhouse, but the seats there have the best view of the finish line. The best seat in the house? A Clubhouse Garden box seat.

The Experience
The Kentucky Derby, held annually on the first Saturday in May, is the world's most famous horse race and an amazing spectacle. The Kentucky Oaks, held on the Friday of Derby week, is a slightly smaller-scale version of the Derby and is the second best-attended day in American racing. The rest of the year, however, a day at Churchill Downs is relaxing and inexpensive.

11/25/02

Went for brunch - disappointed

by tlythgoe at Citysearch

This could have been a really fun time - brunch at the races. It appears however, that churchill downs is only interested in packing as many people as they can into the restaurants for the cash. The food was good, but the selection was only borderline - I've seen much better. Forget watching the races as you drink coffee - you can't see most of the track from the tables. Also, they cram eight people onto a 4 person table, and as many tables as they can into the room.

• Pros: Horse racing, Free parking
• Cons: Cramped seating, Poor track view, Poor food selection

07/26/02

a best bet

by aburnham at Citysearch

Churchill Downs has not only one of the oldest forms of racing around, it has some great history and a lot of fun. Take the tour, and get to view the Paddock area, and see the insides of Churchill Downs. A MUST SEE IN LOUISVILLE!