Churchill Downs Releases List of Simulcasting Locations Offering Fall Meet in High Definition

Nov 20, 2008 CDI Communications

Churchill Downs, which became the nation's first racetrack to offer simulcasting in high definition ('HD') when it opened its 2008 Fall Meet on Oct. 26, has released a list of racetracks and off-track betting locations ('OTBs') across the United States where the HD signal is now available.

Racing fans can enjoy the Churchill Downs meet in high definition on-track and at the following simulcast locations:

-- Calder Race Course
-- Trackside Arlington (Ill.)
-- Trackside Hodgkins (Ill.)
-- Keeneland Race Course
-- Del Mar Surfside Race Place
-- NYCOTB: Northern Blvd. in Queens
-- NYCOTB: Boston Post Road in the Bronx
-- Penn National
-- Nassau OTB: Levittown
-- Nassau OTB: Farmingdale

'When our customers come in, they are drawn to the picture quality that the Churchill signal provides,' said Rich Bennett, executive director of operations for Nassau OTB in Long Island, N.Y.  'Our customers are noticing a real difference in the information provided and the picture quality.  It really stands out.'

'The picture is enticing,' said George Bradvica, general manager of Surfside Race Place at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif.  'It draws in customers and encourages them to play the race.  It's the closest thing to being there.'

The 2008 Fall Meet at Churchill Downs is also being offered in a typical standard-definition format for facilities without HD technology in place.

'We've been delighted by the customer response to our rollout of HD technology, both at Churchill Downs and in the national simulcast market,' said Tom Jenkins, vice president for Churchill Downs Incorporated.  'The improved clarity and detail available through high definition is truly phenomenal, and we are very pleased that we can offer this technology upgrade to fans of the Churchill Downs racing product in every part of the country.

'Our customers have offered us excellent feedback, and we hope to implement some of their suggestions in the months ahead,' Jenkins added.  'We're looking forward to making continuous improvements and expansions to our HD offerings, including the introduction of additional wagering information and improvements in the way this information is presented, to give our customers an even better experience with the Churchill Downs product.'

Churchill's Fall Meet continues through Saturday, Nov. 29.

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 2008 Fall Meet runs from October 26 through November 29. Churchill Downs is scheduled to host the Breeders' Cup World Championships for a record seventh time on November 5 and 6, 2010.  Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.