Bobby Flay to Host Official 'Kentucky Derby Party' Web Site

Feb 10, 2009 CDI Communications

With Kentucky Derby 135 on May 2, 2009, quickly approaching, Churchill Downs, the legendary racetrack that hosts the annual “Run for the Roses,” is pleased to announce that Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay has signed on for a second year as the official host and spokesperson of the Kentucky Derby Party program and Web site, www.KentuckyDerbyParty.com.

Chef Flay knows his way around a party almost as well as he knows his way around a kitchen. The host of the Food Network’s Emmy-awarding winning television show, “Boy Meets Grill,” and “Throwndown with Bobby Flay,” is no stranger to the horse racing scene either, having owned racehorses for a number of years after developing an affinity for the Sport of Kings.

“The Kentucky Derby is a one-of-a-kind springtime party that showcases a unique blend of food, fashion and Southern hospitality against the backdrop of America’s oldest continuously held sporting event,” Flay said. “As a horse racing enthusiast, I love attending the Derby, and I also enjoy throwing horse racing parties for family and friends. The Web site offers party hosts and hostesses everything they need to know about Kentucky Derby entertaining and new, exciting features such as online games and blogging forums that will appeal to all who visit.”

Party hosts and hostesses can visit the official Kentucky Derby Party Web site at www.KentuckyDerbyParty.com to register their “official” Kentucky Derby party and to send out free electronic invitations to guests. The site also features tips for throwing a Kentucky Derby party, including plenty of recipes and menu ideas from Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay, examples of Derby hats and fashion, and a social networking platform with blogs, photo and video uploads so partygoers around the world can share their Kentucky Derby experience.

The Derby Party Web site also features an online store offering official Kentucky Derby merchandise and a variety of party packages that include everything you need to make your guests feel like you have gone the extra mile to bring the Derby home to them.  Party packages offer all the essentials for a successful Kentucky Derby Party and retail for $26.00 USD. It contains: eight 7-inch plates, eight 9-inch plates, eight 10-ounce frosted cups, 24 beverage napkins and 24 luncheon napkins, all bearing official Kentucky Derby 135 logo and original artwork designs.

Kentucky Derby Party hosts and their guests can also enter a contest for a chance to attend the 2010 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and walk the official Kentucky Derby Red Carpet with Derby celebrities. For more information, or to register your Kentucky Derby Party, visit www.KentuckyDerbyParty.com.

Visitors to the site can also utilize its social networking platform throughout the entire year.  Whether they are throwing parties for the Triple Crown Series or the Arlington Million, the site is the perfect way to stay in touch and on top of new party trends. The site can even be used to organize other social gatherings, such as birthday parties, happy hours and reunions.

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 2009 Spring Meet will take place from April 25 through July 5.  Churchill Downs is scheduled to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a record seventh time on Nov. 5 and 6, 2010.   Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.