Churchill Downs Honors U of L Final Four Basketball Teams With Red Twin Spires

Apr 04, 2013 Darren Rogers

Churchill Downs is in the spirit for this weekend’s Final Four appearances by the University of Louisville’s men’s and women’s basketball teams. The legendary racetrack’s iconic Twin Spires that sit atop the grandstand will be cast in a red glow throughout the remainder of the NCAA tournaments to honor its U of L neighbors.

The U of L men’s basketball team faces Wichita State in a national semifinal on Saturday at 6:09 p.m. EDT in Atlanta. The women meet California for their semifinal in New Orleans on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

On Wednesday, Mayor Greg Fischer declared Friday as Cardinal Red Day in Louisville and encouraged people to wear red and businesses to display red.

“We’re thrilled to show our support for the University of Louisville, which has been a wonderful neighbor for many years,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack president Kevin Flanery. “We have great admiration of their commitment to excellence and the high standards set forth by President James Ramsey, athletic director Tom Jurich and head coaches Rick Pitino and Jeff Walz. We’re proud to join many in the community in saluting their outstanding student-athletes, and we wish them the very best in their championship endeavors.”

Churchill Downs has a limited number of opportunities each year to light the Twin Spires in honor of a charitable organization or cause, or a special industry or community event. Completed in 1895 (20 years after the first running of the first Kentucky Derby), the Twin Spires are among the most recognizable symbols of excellence in the worlds of sports and entertainment. The $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands is America’s oldest continuously held major sporting event and will be run for the 139th consecutive year on Saturday, May 4 – the first Saturday in May.

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: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2013 and its 2013 Spring Meet is scheduled for April 27-June 30. The track has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships a record eight times. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.ChurchillDowns.com.

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