$121 million in renovations at Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - An aging colonnade creaked under the weight of a claw-like wrecker and then crashed in a heap Friday, signaling the start of the second phase of $121 million in renovations at Churchill Downs.

The construction will give a facelift to the 129-year-old track, upgrading everything from Millionaire's Row, where the rich and famous hobnob at the Kentucky Derby, to the kitchen and dining rooms.

With a riverboat casino docked a short distance away on the Indiana side of the Ohio River, Churchill officials hope the improvements will put the horse track ahead of the pack in competing for gambling dollars.

The colonnade dated back to 1924, but within a few minutes of demolition all that was left were long piles of age-worn wood.

"There have been a countless number of fans and dignitaries that have walked through that gate and under that walkway on their way into the racetrack and their seats," track spokesman John Asher said. "It's seen a lot of Derby history, like any section of this racetrack."

The $95 million second phase of renovations will include a new and expanded Turf Club and a new Skye Terrace, home to Millionaire's Row.

The track will add dining rooms, kitchens and a new press box along with simulcast facilities, where fans bet on races at other tracks.

The demolition work is scheduled to be finished in September, well before the start of the track's fall meet in late October.

The $26 million first phase, scheduled for completion in September, added dozens of luxury suites atop the grandstands and refurbished the famed Twin Spires, a picturesque backdrop to the track.

A clubhouse section near the spires will be razed and rebuilt during the second phase, but the spires won't be touched.

"Those spires are sacred," Asher said. "It's the heart and soul of our company."

The renovations are scheduled to be completed by early 2005.

© 2003 The Associated Press

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44359-2003Jul11.html

General- I saw two Kentucky Derbys there in the early 80's and the tradition you feel there is incredible. I had breakfast on the back stretch there a few times during my non-Derby visits and the twin spires look so neat from the back stretch view. The place needed a lot of work then so I imagine it's about ready to fall apart now. The real problem with the track is it's right in the middle of a residential neighborhood and the parking is a nightmare and it's tough to get in and out of there but it's a must see if you're in the area.

It is a special place to me. I love sittin in the kitchen with a cold one and a TV, then hang a right out the door and there she is. Nice place getting nicer. The facilities def need work when you see it up close.

It would take $121 million to fix up the parking lot at Pimlico, God what a dump that place is. One year my buddy and I for some reason decided we were going to be racing afficionados so we would hit the Triple Crown and the Breeders Cup that year. We went to Churchill for the Derby and enjoyed the fact that we couldn't even move to the betting windows it was so damn crowded. We wanted to see the place so we went back the next day and finally got to look around, it was nice, but Santa Anita blows it away for being a nice place. Then we continued the road trip and made it to Pimlico in two weeks and what a disaster that place was, probably even worse now from what I hear. That was like having the one of the biggest events of the year in Maryland and having it in the biggest warehouse in the ghetto. We gave up after that, didn't even make it to the Belmont, we decided the whole thing was stupid. Ahh, the college years, hard to believe what the stupid-ass things you decide to do when you are young and have too much time and not enough money. In my college years I made it to the Rose Bowl 3 times, the Kentucky Derby, the NBA Finals 3 times, saw the original Dream Team's first game ever (before it the Cuban coach said they weren't afraid of them, they are just a team of basketball players), Nolan Ryan's last game, the US Open for golf and tennis, and to top it off...the Super Bowl. Somehow I still graduated with a 3.3 GPA. How I did it...I have no idea! Out of those the Ky Derby was the most disappointing, unless you make it to a seat in the grandstand I just don't see the point of being there race day.

Bill, I have no desire to go to the derby either. Way to crowded for my appetite, so I can relate to that. There have been non-derby days where i felt very crowded at churchill so I know i would not enjoy the derby less a pressbox with A/C.

Boys, if you like to check out the fillies there is no place like Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.

We go every year (since 1980) and it does not seem to be as crowded as it used to be. I think they must have cut way back on the comp walk-around passes for the clubhouse and grandstand areas. Used to be you could hardly move but not so bad now.

Anyway, betting the ponies is secondary to the filly watching.


VVV

General
Trust me when I say this, you HAVE to attend a Derby. It is'nt for everyone but if your a fan of the horses you must go to one

I do love the ponies Dicky, but ive lost so much I had to stop going. Turfway & Churchill used to be very common visits by me, but I had to cut back, not to mention i lost my fav partner to go with.

Thanks for the advice though. I would say a safe bet I will attend one before my time is up.

Tuffway Park, the one place where 45-1 horses win like their 4-5

LOL

Yeah, the track was bought by Keeneland to try and revive. Last I was there it was weak. The riverboat casinos down that way in S indiana are killing Turfway.