Online Kentucky Derby, Oaks Ticket Sale Rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 12 p.m. EST

Dec 21, 2009 Darren Rogers

Churchill Downs’ online sale of limited two-day Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks ticket packages, which was delayed Wednesday by a potential data error with its new online box office, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 6 at noon EST. A total of 3,000 seats have been allocated for this online exclusive at http://tickets.churchilldowns.com.

“Our concern regarding a potential data error that temporarily delayed our online sale of Kentucky Derby and Oaks tickets has been erased, and we’re pleased to announce that those coveted tickets will go on sale shortly after the holidays on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at noon,” Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery said. “The customer experience with this first-of-its-kind online offering is paramount, and we truly appreciate our patrons’ patience as we worked through this process.”

    As promised, reserved seating packages to be sold, which include tickets to both the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, April 30 and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 1, include:

¨    Third-floor clubhouse box seats in sections 312-314 and access to the Secretariat Lounge, an exclusive, upscale, indoor hospitality area that will feature premium gourmet food, an open bar, televisions, betting kiosks and live music between races (50 boxes or 300 seats which range from $6,132-$6,390 per six-seat box);
¨    First-floor clubhouse box seats in section 111 (166 boxes or 996 seats which cost $1,500 per six-seat box);
¨    Second-floor grandstand bleacher seats in sections 222-225 (300 seats which range from $214-$225 per seat); and
¨    First-floor grandstand bleacher seats in sections 121-128 (1,404 seats which range from $172-$207 per seat).

Ticket prices vary based on location. There is a purchase limit of six seats or one box per order. Those who want to purchase box seats must purchase the entire box, which includes seats for six. Tickets must be purchased with a Visa credit or debit card. Minimal ticket processing charges will apply.

    This offer is exclusive to http://tickets.churchilldowns.com; no sales will be made in person or by submitting letters, e-mail or telephone calls to Churchill Downs.

Already available for purchase on the Website are advance general admission tickets to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, which cost $40 and $25, respectively, as well as reserved seat packages to other 2010 events, including six “Downs After Dark” nighttime racing events scheduled for June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2, Oct. 31 and Nov. 19.

    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 host the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 1 and the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, April 30. The track will conduct its 2010 Spring Meet from Saturday, April 24 through Sunday, July 5. Churchill Downs is scheduled to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a record seventh time on Nov. 5 and 6, 2010. Churchill Downs tickets are available at tickets.churchilldowns.com or by calling (502) 636-4400. Additional information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

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