Churchill Downs OTB Operations Move to New Venue, 'The Parlay', Wednesday, Jan. 16

Jan 15, 2013 John Asher

Off-track betting (“OTB”) patrons at Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”) will enjoy racing from tracks across North America in a sparkling new location starting Wednesday, Jan. 16 when the track’s simulcast wagering operations move to The Parlay, a just-completed, state-of-the-art multi-purpose on-track venue.

The Parlay is located on the first floor of the historic track at its Gate 1 entrance off Central Avenue. Patrons will enter the venue via the track’s admission gates located adjacent to the Kentucky Derby Museum. Ample free parking is available in lots near the Gate 1 entrance.

The approximately 14,000 square-foot facility will comfortably accommodate 600 patrons. The venue includes the TSC Elite Gold Room, an area dedicated to Churchill Downs’ VIP players. 

In racing and gambling parlance, a parlay is a set of two or more wagers set up in advance so that both the original bet and its winnings are played together in a subsequent wager. The name was chosen by Churchill Downs to reflect multiple uses planned for the new venue.

While The Parlay will be home to Churchill Downs’ simulcasting product during the months outside of its live racing meets, it also will house the track’s media operations in the weeks leading up to the 2013 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) and Kentucky Oaks (GI), and during its three live racing meets. 

“We are excited to unveil The Parlay and believe off-track betting patrons will share our enthusiasm,” said Ryan Jordan, CDRT General Manager. “It is a beautiful facility filled with large televisions that provide vivid images of races from North American tracks and major international events.  The Parlay will provide our OTB patrons with quick and convenient access to food, beverages and a full-range of amenities.

“This versatile new venue is a right-sized space for our simulcast wagering audience. It will enable our team to more effectively serve our patrons and will allow greater efficiency throughout our OTB operations.”

The Parlay is one of four capital projects valued at $9 million launched in mid-2012 by CDRT. The others are: The Mansion, a distinctive hospitality venue set for early spring completion; the Plaza, an open-air space adjacent to the Paddock and Gate 1 that opened during the 2012 Fall Meet; and a second-floor Clubhouse Gold Room, which was unveiled in August, 2012 and will continue to serve VIP players during live racing meets.

On April 1, The Parlay will be converted to house Churchill Downs’ media operations for the Kentucky Derby on May 4, the May 3 Kentucky Oaks and its Spring Meet that begins with the “Opening Night” celebration on Saturday, April 27 and concludes on Sunday, June 30. At that time, the OTB operation will move back to the area of the second-floor Clubhouse that has been home to its simulcast operation since early 2005. The track’s OTB operations will remain there until they shift back to The Parlay at the conclusion of Spring Meet racing.

Foremost among the amenities available to off-track betting patrons in The Parlay are 42 televisions equipped with massive 70-inch, high-definition screens that fill the walls throughout the venue. Additionally, there are 18 32-inch TVs positioned around the facility.

The Parlay features a 24-foot bar and a food service area that will offer grab-and-go sandwiches, soups, salads and other OTB fare. 

The 600-person capacity includes 320 individual carrels and table seating. There also is seating at the bar and some lounge chair seats will be available.

Churchill Downs will continue its Wednesday-through-Sunday simulcast schedule in The Parlay, depending on availability of signals. The daily admission price remains at $3 and $1 for seniors ages 60 and up. Admission gates will open at 11:30 a.m. (all times Eastern) unless otherwise noted.

The 2013 racing schedule at Churchill Downs will feature three live meets for the first time in its history. Along with its Spring Meet, the track will present its first September Meet, which will feature 12 days of racing from Sept. 5-29, and its traditional Fall Meet, which will run from Oct. 27-Nov. 30.

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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