Spring Meet Racing Resumes Thursday, May 8; Some Mother's Day Dining Still Available

May 08, 2014 John Asher

With California Chrome’s victory in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) and the win by Untapable in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) now sweet memories, Churchill Downs Racetrack resumes Spring Meet racing on Thursday, May 8  with the first of four days of racing and fun leading up to the track’s celebration on Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 11.

Nine races are scheduled on Thursday’s program as Thoroughbred racing resumes after a four-day post-Kentucky Derby break.  Post time for the first live race is 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern).  Simulcast wagering also resumes Thursday, and admission gates open at 11:30 a.m.

Admission is free Thursday-through-Saturday to patrons who wish to cash a winning mutuel ticket from Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Days. 

The remaining schedule for the second week of the April 26-June 29 Spring Meet includes:

• Friday Happy Hours on Friday, May 9 – A springtime tradition returns as Churchill Downs offers a twilight racing program beginning at 2:45 p.m. and the “Happy Hours” party from 3-7 p.m. in the Paddock Plaza that features drink specials and live music by local favorites Hog Operation on the Plaza Stage.   Fans can also register for box seats to the 2015 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, with the winner being announced at the meet’s final Friday Happy Hours celebration on June 13.

• Ten races on Saturday, May 10 headed by the $65,000 Unbridled Sidney for older fillies and mares at five furlongs on the Matt Winn Turf Course.  First race post time for Saturday’s racing is 12:45 p.m.

• Mother’s Day at the Downs on Sunday, May 11 – A great family day at the track and seating in dining areas is still available.  Post time for the first race is 12:45 p.m.

Available seating for Mother’s Day dining at Churchill Downs is limited and disappearing quickly, but some seats are available for purchase in the Trophy and Stakes Rooms.  Those options include the Levy Restaurants’ Chef’s Table© brunch, an admission ticket and racing program.

A few Jockey Club Suites remain available for rental on Mother’s Day at $500 per suite, with an additional cost for food and beverage.  Jockey Club Suites seat 24 people.

To purchase Mother’s Day dining or rent a Jockey Club Suite for the day, call (502) 636-4400.

Mother’s Day dining and other reserved seating can also be purchased at Churchill Downs’ on-track box office located at Gate 1 off Central Avenue.  The box office is open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Information on tickets for racing and special events throughout Churchill Downs’ April 26-June 29 Spring Meet is available online at www.churchilldowns.com/tickets.