Churchill Downs' 'Downs After Dark' Fashion Themes Includes Fans' Choice Vote

May 23, 2013 John Asher

Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”) has unveiled fashion and décor themes for two of its trio of “Downs After Dark Presented by Stella Artois and Finlandia Vodka” night racing celebrations scheduled for the final three Saturdays in June, and is turning to its fans to choose the theme for the third.

Fans will determine the theme of the second of the remaining sessions of entertainment and racing under the lights on Saturday, June 22 by choosing from a roster of three possible options listed the track’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/ChurchillDowns).

Voting on that “Downs After Dark” theme will continue through 3 p.m. (all times Eastern) on Friday, May 31.

Themes already set for the upcoming “Downs After Dark” celebrations include:

• Saturday, June 15: “The White Party” is one of the most successful night racing themes and returns for a third consecutive year.  The “all things white” fashion theme will support a stellar racing program that features four stakes races headed by the $500,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap, a Grade I race for older horses that is a “Win and You’re In” race for the this fall’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

• Saturday, June 29: “Star-Spangled Night” strikes a patriotic theme for the final Saturday and next-to-last racing day of the Spring Meet, and the weekend prior to the celebration of Independence Day.

In determining the theme for the June “Downs After Dark” program, fans will chose from a list of three possible themes:

• Totally Awesome 80’s;
• Boots, Brew and BBQ;
• The Beach Ball.

Fans can view details of each of the potential June 22 night racing themes at www.ChurchillDowns.com. 

Reserved seating and dining packages for the three “Downs After Dark” sessions can be purchased now at the track’s online box office at www.churchilldowns.com/tickets or the on-track ticket office located at the Gate 1 entrance off Central Avenue.  The on-track box office is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (all times Eastern), with special hours of noon until 9 p.m. on “Downs After Dark” Saturdays.

“Downs After Dark” at Churchill Downs – an exciting mix of music, food, fashion and racing excitement under the lights – is now in its fifth year. General admission to the event is $10. Holders of shareholders passes or horsemen licenses and children age 12 and under (when accompanied by an adult) will be admitted free of charge. No one under the age of 18 will be admitted to the track unless they are accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

The 2013 Spring Meet and Kentucky Derby and Oaks Week kicked-off with the night-time “Opening Night” celebration that attracted 21,038 fans despite rainy, breezy and cool weather.

The experience includes special dining packages; dancing to live music and special food offerings on the Jockey Club Suites and Clubhouse balconies; and food and drink specials on the new Paddock Plaza, located between the Paddock and Churchill Downs’ Gate 1 entrance, with music throughout the evening by live bands and DJ’s working on the Plaza stage.

Dining packages include special dinner offerings, admission, reserved seat and racing program for just $59.90. Tables for eight are available for “Downs After Dark” dining.

Reserved box seating is available for $20, which includes admission, a reserved seat in the 3^rd Floor Clubhouse and a racing program. Boxes of six and eight seats are available for purchase.

Between races, the popular text-to-win sweepstakes promotion “Bet or No Bet,” sponsored by Thorntons, will return in which four lucky on-track patrons will face a tough decision: to place a $1,000 win bet on a horse in the upcoming race or take a $100 Thornton’s gift card.

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 140^th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2014 and its 2013 Spring Meet is scheduled continues through Sunday, 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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