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Kentucky Derby History

Horse racing in Kentucky is rich in history, dating back to 1789 when the first race course was laid out in Lexington. However, it was almost 100 years later, in 1875, that Churchill Downs officially opened and began its tradition as "Home of the Kentucky Derby."

In 1787, The Commons, a park-like block near Lexington's Race Street was used by horsemen for racing. By 1789, complaints by "safety minded" citizens led to the formal development of a race meet at The Commons. The men who organized this race meet, including Kentucky Statesman Henry Clay, also formed the Commonwealth's first Jockey Club. The organization later was named the Kentucky Jockey Club in 1809.

Racing in Louisville dates back to 1783 when local sources reported that races were held on Market Street in the downtown area. To alleviate the problems associated with racing on the busy city thoroughfare, a course was developed at the now abandoned Shippingport Island in 1805. Racing was cond1ucted on the island in the Ohio River at what was called the Elm Tree Gardens.

By 1827, a new track, known as the Hope Distillery Course, was laid out on what is presently Main and 16th Streets. Racing was also held on a number of private tracks located on farms throughout the local area. One of the more prominent of these was Peter Funk's Beargrass Track which was located in an area now bordered by Hurstbourne Lane and Taylorsville Road.

The Oakland Race Course was opened in the fall of 1833 and brought racing back to a formal site with the track, complete with clubhouse, located at what is now Seventh and Magnolia Streets in "Old Louisville". This was followed in 1858 by the opening of the Woodlawn Course on the Louisville and Lexington railroad lines just outside of today's St. Matthews, east of Louisville. The site closed in 1870, but the Woodlawn Vase, the track's premier trophy, has been used in the presentation to the winner of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico since 1917.

Harness racing was also a significant part of Louisville's early racing history with a number of tracks in existence. One of the most prominent was Greeneland, a racecourse for trotters was built just east of Churchill Downs in 1868.

The Founding of Churchill Downs

While traveling in England and France in 1872-1873, 26-year-old Col. M. Lewis Clark, devised the idea of a Louisville Jockey Club for conducting race meets. Clark toured and visited with a number of prominent racing leaders, including England's Admiral Rous and France's Vicompte Darn, vice president of the French Jockey Club.

Upon his return from Europe, Clark began development of his racetrack which would serve to showcase the Kentucky breeding industry. The track would eventually become known as "Churchill Downs." The first reference of the name Churchill Downs came in an 1883 Kentucky Derby article reported by the former Louisville Commercial.

"The crowd in the grand stand sent out a volume of voice, and the crowd in the field took it up and carried it from boundary to boundary of Churchill Downs."

The track was incorporated as Churchill Downs in 1937.

The first public notice of establishment of the track was reported in the May 27, 1874 edition of the Courier-Journal. The notice was met with some objections because another track had already been proposed by the Falls City Racing Association for a site near the river just east of downtown Louisville. Clark and a group of prominent Louisville gentlemen met at the Galt House on June 18, 1874 to prepare articles of incorporation with the actual filing for the Louisville Jockey Club and Driving Park Association taking place on June 20.

To fund the construction of the track, Clark raised $32,000 by selling 320 membership subscriptions to the track at $100 each. Eighty acres of land, approximately three miles south of downtown were leased from Clark's uncles, John and Henry Churchill. A clubhouse, grandstand, porter's lodge and six stables were all eventually constructed on the site for the opening of the track.

For his inaugural race meet, Clark designed his three major stakes races, the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Clark Handicap, after the three premier races in England, the Epsom Derby, Epsom Oaks and St. Leger Stakes, respectively. These events have each been held continuosly at Churchill since their debut in 1875. However, in 1953, the Clark was moved from the spring to the fall meet. The Falls City was also offered during the inaugural meet and after four interruptions, the race continues to be held.

The track formally opened May 17, 1875 with four races scheduled. The winner of the first race was Bonaventure, however the winner of the day's featured race, the Kentucky Derby, was a three-year-old chestnut colt, Aristides. Owned by H.P. McGrath, Aristides was trained by and ridden by two African-Americans, Ansel Williamson and Oliver Lewis, respectively.

Despite the success of the first Kentucky Derby, the track was not financially successful and on November 24, 1894 the New Louisville Jockey Club was incorporated. William F. Schulte was appointed president and Clark was retained as presiding judge for the track.

Under Schulte, a new grandstand was constructed during fall 1894 - spring 1895 on the opposite side of the track for a reported cost of $100,000. The grandstand was complemented by two spires constructed atop the roof. The twin spires, a simple architectural element, would become the symbol of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.

1874 -- Col. M. Lewis Clark begins rescue of Kentucky's declining stock farm. Develops Louisville Jockey Club on land secured from his uncles John and Henry Churchill.

1875 -- An estimated 10,000 watch the first Kentucky Derby on May 17, the opening day of the meet.

1883 -- The name "Churchill Downs" is first used in a report on the ninth Derby by the Louisville Commerical newspaper.

1889 -- Pari-mutuel machines discarded at demand of bookmakers who tell Col. Clark machines are cutting into their business.

1894 -- Group headed by W. F. Schulte purchase the track and incorporate as the New Louisville Jockey Club. They build a 285-foot grandstand on the other side of the track.

1895 -- A new grandstand, topped by the Twin Spires, greet the May 6 Derby crowd.

1896 -- Derby shortened from 1 1/2 to l 1/4 miles. The reasoning, distance is too long for 3-year-olds so early in the spring.

1899 -- Founder Clark is a pistol suicide in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 22, just 12 days before 25th Kentucky Derby.

Early 1900's

At the turn of the century, financial problems plagued the rcaetrack. On October 1, 1902 a group headed by former Louisville Mayor Charles Grainger, Charlie Price and Matt J. Winn agreed to takeover the operation. The takeover was done by amending the track's articles of incorporation with no transfer in the form of a deed. Grainger was named president, Price racing secretary and Winn vice president.

Under this administration, the track finally showed its first profit in 1903, 28 years after its founding. As the Kentucky Derby grew in popularity so did the racetrack. In 1907 the owners of Churchill Downs, who were officials of the New Louisville Jockey Club, joined with nearby Douglas Park to form the Louisville Racing Association. The purpose of the new Association was to establish race dates and policies for racing in the City. This relationship led to the formation of the Kentucky Jockey Club in February 1919 as a holding company for Churchill and three other tracks in the State: Latonia in the north, Lexington in the bluegrass region, and Douglas Park and Churchill Downs in Louisville.

1902 -- Louisville tailor Matt J. Winn forms a syndicate of local investors to take over the track. The first Kentucky State Fair is held at Churchill and features the staged collision of two locomotives for a crowd between 40,000 and 50,000.

1903 -- Winn's group begins renovations with the addition of a clubhouse for $20,000 in time for May 2 Derby. Downs' shows its first profit in history.

1907 -- Auto races are held on the track in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair. Races were also held in 1908, 1910, and 1912.

1908 -- Pari-mutuel machines restored on legal loophole after new Louisville city administration adopts strict enforcement policy against bookmakers. Crowd wagers $67,570 through machines Derby Day, $18,300 on the Derby alone.

1909 -- Kentucky, New York and Maryland withstand "reform" movement which abolished horse racing in California, Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana.

1911 -- Col. Winn reduces minimum wager from $5 to $2, installs two men in the betting booth - a ticket seller and one to operate the clicker, which registers sales.

1913 -- Donerail becomes the longest shot to win the Derby, paying $184.90, $41.20 and $13.20 besides collecting $5,475 for the victory after Winn restructured the fees. New charges are $25 to nominate, $100 to start, with the Downs adding $5,000 to the purse.

1914 -- Old Rosebud sets a track record of 2:03 2/5, winning the Derby by eight lengths.

1915 -- Regret joins Donerail and Old Rosebud in wrapping up a three-year publicity splash by becoming the first filly to win the Derby. The three achievements establish the Derby as a premier American sporting event.

1918-1919 -- A group headed by James Graham Brown and titled the Kentucky Jockey Club is established to take over Churchill Downs, Latonia, Douglas Park and the Kentucky Association, the four racetracks in the state. Winn remains vice president and general manager. Shareholders agree to transfer the property March 13.

1922 -- A gold buffet service, valued at $7,000 and including a loving cup and candlesticks, is presented to the Kentucky Derby winner, the first Derby presentation of its kind.

1924 -- Black Gold wins the Golden Jubilee Derby. The trophy presented to the winner is the same style as used today.

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American Turf Association and Churchill Downs reign

Under the powerful Kentucky Jockey Club, the track's domain grew between 1919-1929. During this time the company acquired possession of the newly built Fairmount Park in East St. Louis, IL in 1925 and also constructed Lincoln Fields in Crete, IL in 1926. With five tracks under its control, the Kentucky Jockey Club began the process of dissolving the organization in December 1927 for the purpose of re-organizing as a separate holding corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware. According to a Louisville Times article dated December 29, 1927 . . ."incorporated under the laws of Delaware, provides for a capitalization of $6,000,000, an increase of $2,600,000 over the present capitalization."

The process was finalized on January 16, 1928 with the American Turf Association serving as the new holding company for Churchill Downs, Douglas Park, Lexington, and Latonia in Kentucky and Fairmount Park, Lincoln Fields and Washington Park in Illinois. Washington Park was purchased by the association during this period.

The Fairmount Park track was sold in 1929, and in 1935, the association began to dramatically trim its holdings with the sale of Washington Park, the closing and eventual sale of Lexington, and the end of racing at Douglas Park. The reduction left the association with three tracks: Churchill Downs, Latonia and Lincoln Fields. Due to economic reasons Churchill Downs and Latonia formed a separate operating corporation titled, Churchill Downs-Latonia Incorporated on January 28, 1937. Lincoln Fields was operated by Lincoln Fields Jockey Club, Inc., but all three tracks were still owned by the parent corporation, American Turf Association.

On January 13, 1942, officials of Churchill Downs-Latonia Inc. sold the Latonia track and abandoned racing at the site. Later that year on April 24, the Churchill Downs-Latonia Incorporated's name was officially changed to Churchill Downs Incorporated. The American Turf Association continued its affiliation with Churchill, but sold its last out-of-state holding, Lincoln Fields, in March 1947.

The corporate direction of Churchill Downs became a key topic in November 1948. Backed by track President Matt Winn (1938-49) and other board members, a committee was created to study the feasibility of the creation of a foundation to purchase Churchill and operate the track as a nonprofit entity with its earnings donated to the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

The proposal was founded upon the experience of the Churchill Downs Foundation, a charitable organization led by J. Graham Brown. Each fall, several days of racing were held for charitable purposes. During a 10-year period 1940-50s, the foundation donated approximately $1.5 million to charity.
The proposal was considered up until the death of Winn on October 6, 1949. Following the naming of William Veeneman as chairman and chief executive officer of both Churchill Downs and the American Turf Association on Oct. 10, and the selection of Bill Corum as track president, the proposal was permanently shelved December 30, 1949.

The end of the once mighty American Turf Association came April 3, 1950 as stockholders voted to dissolve the association. Shareholders of the association exchanged their shares on a one for one basis for Churchill Downs Incorporated stock.

1925 -- First network radio broadcast of Derby was aired on May 16, originating from Louisville station WHAS. The phrase "Run for the Roses" is coined by N.Y.Journal-American writer Bill Corum. He would later become president of Churchill Downs (1950-58).

1928 -- Churchill Downs is made the corporate name for the racetrack. The Kentucky Jockey Club is replaced as holding company of Churchill Downs and five other tracks under its control by the newly created American Turf Association. At one time the holding company controlled seven tracks, including Churchill.

1930 -- The box starting mechanism is used for the Kentucky Derby.

1931-33 -- Due to the Great Depression, Fall meeting is interrupted for three consecutive years. First international broadcast of the Derby is carried on radio. Transmission is relayed from Louisville to Lawrenceville, N.J. and then to England's British Broadcasting Company.

1935 -- The first Kentucky Derby Festival is held on a limited basis. The idea was conceived by Louisville Mayor Miller and the Board of Trade.

1937 -- Following the sale of most of the American Turf Association's properties, Churchill Downs and Latonia, merge into Churchill Downs-Latonia Incorporated.

1938 --First tunnel under the track is completed from the grandstand to the infield. Admission to the infield is 50 cents. The infield presentation stand is built and first used for the Kentucky Derby winner.

1942 -- "Camp Winn," a tent camp of troops from Fort Knox and Bowman Field set up in the infield, gives a true military touch to Churchill Downs. The Churchill Downs Foundation makes donation of profits on certain days during the Fall meeting to war charities. Over 10 years, 1940-50, the foundation donates $1.5 million to various causes. Officials sell Latonia and change the official name to Churchill Downs Incorporated.

1943 -- War-time travel restrictions result in a "Street Car Derby," with no out-of-town tickets to the race sold. But 65,000 turn out to see Count Fleet, a 2-5 choice, win easily. The restrictions also result in Keeneland holding its 1943 and 1944 meets at Churchill.

1945 -- Government ban of all horse racing in January threatens to break the consecutive string of Derbys at 70, but VE Day is followed by a May 8 announcement lifting the ban and the 71st Derby is run June 9.

1949 -- Ponder, a 16-1 shot, wins the 75th Derby, telecast on a limited basis by local TV. Col. Matt J. Winn, generally credited with making the Kentucky Derby the greatest horse race in the world, dies October 6 at age 88. He witnessed each of the first 75 Derbys, the first as a 13-year-old from the flat-bed of his father's grocery wagon, parked in the infield.

1950s to Modern Era

Under the direction of Bill Corum, a former New York Times and New York Journal-American sports columnist, Churchill Downs and the famed Kentucky Derby continued to grow and modernize:

• the first national telecast of the Kentucky Derby aired May 3, 1952
• the first barns constructed of concrete firewalls were built in 1952
• more seating boxes were added to the second floor of the grandstand and clubhouse in 1953 with 400 additional third-floor boxes in the clubhouse
• film patrol was installed in 1954 to provide replays to the racing officials
• in 1955 a $300,000 automatic sprinkler system was installed in the entire grandstand and clubhouse.

Following Corum's death in December 1958, Wathen Knebelkamp was selected as his successor on March 3, 1959. Under his direction an aggressive building and renovation program was initiated. During Knebelkamp's tenure improvements rose from $128,000 in 1959 to $1,016,000 in 1966. Renovations ranged from the installation of 1,000 seats on the north end of the grandstand (and construction of a museum in 1960) to the addition of the fourth and fifth floors of the Skye Terrace "Millionaire's Row" in 1965-66.

The success of the track continued under Knebelkamp, but Churchill's eighth president was faced with speculation that the track was a prime target for a hostile takeover. In January,1960 a proposal was made to have the City of Louisville issue revenue bonds to purchase Churchill Downs. However, the proposal, which was made in an effort to secure the Derby and prevent outside ownership of the track, was turned down by aldermen. In December 1963, the Kentucky Racing Commission set forth a proposal to establish a new organization to purchase Churchill and Lexington's Keeneland Race Course and to modernize both tracks through revenue bonds.

Finally, in March 1969, as a counter to a stock takeover attempt by National Industries, a group of Churchill board members, headed by John Galbreath, Warner L. Jones, Jr. and Arthur "Bull" Hancock formed what was called the "Derby Protection Group." They successfully outbid National Industries for control of the Company, moving the stock from $22 a share to $35.

Lynn Stone became Churchill Downs ninth president as he replaced the retiring Knebelkamp in December 1969. Stone had come to Churchill in 1961 as resident manager and was appointed vice president and general manager in 1966.

Under Stone's leadership: the Derby celebrated its 100th running in 1974, with a record 163,628 on hand; added the Skye Terrace's sixth floor in 1977 for $1.8 million; computerized the pari-mutuel system in 1982; and began development of a $7 million Kentucky Derby Museum.

1950 -- The American Turf Association officially comes to an end as stockholders dissolve the association and exchange their shares for Churchill stock on a one-for-one basis.

1952 -- First network television broadcast of a Derby, originating from CBS affiliate WHAS.

1959 -- Following the death of Bill Corum in December 1958, Wathen Knebelkamp is named Churchill's eighth president in March.

1968 -- First Derby winner disqualification sees the purse taken from first-place finisher Dancer's Image because post-race testing revealed an illegal medication. Second-place finisher Forward Pass is declared the winner.

1969 -- The Derby Protection Group, consisting of members of the board of directors, successfully outbids National Industries for control of the Company.

1969-1970 -- In December Lynn Stone is named president to replace the retiring Wathen Knebelkamp. Stone leads the track into the '70s and '80s.

1973 -- Secretariat breaks the magic two-minute plateau for the Derby, winning the 99th Run for the Roses in 1:59 2/5. He goes on to become the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years.

1974 -- An all-time record U.S. Thoroughbred racing crowd of 163,628 jams the Downs to see Cannonade top a field of 23 and win the 100th Derby.

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Current Era

As president, Lynn Stone headed the efforts that ended two separate takeover attempts by Brownell Combs II of Spendthrift Farm and Irwin L. Jacobs, respectively in 1984. In August 1984, Stone resigned, following huge financial losses that resulted from two years of failed summer racing. Stone was replaced by acting President Thomas H. Meeker, a former general counsel to Churchill Downs while with the law firm of Wyatt, Tarrant and Combs. In September 1984, Meeker was named permanently to the position.

At 40, Meeker became the youngest president since Meriwether Lewis Clark organized the track at age 29. Meeker immediately began a five-year, $25 million renovation renaissance, headed by: (dollar figures in millions)

• $2.5 core renovations (1984)
• $3.2 Matt Winn Turf Course (1985)
• $2.5 paddock construction (1986)
• $5 clubhouse improvements (1987)
• $3.7 Skye Terrace updating (1988)
• $1.2 barn area improvements (1989)

These renovations led to a resurgence of the track and helped attract the Breeders' Cup Championship. Churchill Downs has responded by successfully hosting four of the top five attendance totals for the event: a record 80,452 in 1998; 71,671 in 1994, second; 71,237 in 1988, third; and 66,204 in 1991, fifth.

Under Meeker's leadership, and through the direction of former Chairman Warner L. Jones, Jr., 1984 to 1992, and current Chairman William S. Farish, the track has experienced impressive growth in all areas.

Combined Kentucky Derby Day wagering, on-track and national, has increased from $26,805,205 in 1985 to $88,941,006 in 1998. Churchill Downs has become a leader in simulcast wagering as both a host site and receiver. As a receiver, the $15 million Sports Spectrum, a state-of-the-art wagering center located seven miles from the track and constructed in 1992, has proved a national leader. The success in these areas has helped fuel Churchill Downs horsemen's purses, which have risen from a daily average of $187,363 during the 1990 Spring Meet to a record $469,643 during the 1999 season. Fall Meet purses have also grown to a daily average of $378,058.

A key to the future success of Churchill Downs Incorporated rests upon the Company's potential for development and expansion. Headed by its most aggressive development effort since the days of the American Turf Association in the 1920s-1930s, the Churchill Downs Management Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Churchill Downs Incorporated, opened Hoosier Park at Anderson in September 1994. The dual Standardbred and Thoroughbred track, located in Anderson, Ind., approximately 40 miles northeast of Indianapolis, serves as Indiana's first pari-mutuel racetrack and Churchill's first out-of-state racing site since 1937. Under the Hoosier Park license, the Company also operates off-track betting facilities in Merrillville, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, Ind.

In December 1997, Churchill Downs Incorporated formed the wholly owned subsidiary Churchill Downs Investment Company (CDIC), which oversees the Company's industry-related investments. In recent years, the Company has continued its aggressive growth cycle. In April 1998, the Company finalized the purchase of Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky., and Kentucky Horse Center in Lexington, Ky., for $22 million. In January 1999, the Company purchased a majority interest in Charlson Broadcast Technologies, LLC. The venture was developed as a means to provide simulcast graphic software and video services to racetracks and off-track betting facilities.

In April 1999, the Company completed a $86 million purchase of Calder Race Course in Miami. The acquisition of Hollywood Park followed in September 1999. In 2000, Churchill Downs Incorporated completed the acquisition of Arlington International outside of Chicago, adding another entitity to the Churchill Downs Incorporated network of racetracks.

Churchill Downs Incorporated's success has been achieved through a corporate strategy based on strengthening its racing program and the Kentucky Derby, increasing the track's share of the national simulcast market, and the geographic expansion of its racing operations. This commitment to quality racing has made the Company one of the premier racing centers in North America.

1980 -- A 15-year program of physical improvements, amounting to more than $10 million, nears completion. The improvements include new Skye Terraces, press box, jockey quarters, 12 new barns, fire-resistant tack rooms, sprinkling systems in all barns, recreation building, restroom facilities and steel, fireproof stairways in the grandstand and clubhouse.

1981 -- The board of directors votes to build a new turf course inside the present infield. The track and James Graham Brown Foundation form the Kentucky Derby Museum Corporation for construction of a new $7 million museum.

1982 -- The board of directors votes unanimously to extend the 55-day Spring Meet to 93 days, ending Labor Day, in an effort to improve the quality of racing.

1983 -- Pat Day finishes a brilliant year by burying old records with 169 winners in the Spring meet and 54 in the Fall meet. On five occassions he rides five winners in a single day.

1984 -- Warner L. Jones Jr. is named chairman and appoints Tom Meeker as president. Under this leadership, the track develops an aggressive marketing strategy headed by a five-year renovation program. First widespread simulcast of Kentucky Derby is a success, setting a North American record for wagering on a single race - $18,941,933 handled on site and at 24 other tracks. Pat Day breaks a 77-year-old mark by riding 7 winners in 8 races on June 20. Track has its first Sunday racing on Nov. 4, when a crowd of 8,971 weathers showers and cool temperatures to wager $1,167,593.

1985 -- Track begins an ambitious multi-million-dollar capital improvement program in February, with a Phase I pre-Derby project. Phase II begins shortly before the end of the Spring Meet. On April 27, the new $7.5 million Kentucky Derby Museum is formally opened on the grounds with a fund-raising, black-tie gala attended by 700. Twilight racing - a nine-race card beginning at 3:30 p.m. (EDT) on weekdays - is inaugurated May 7, with 9,343 present who wager $1,153,148.

1986 -- Completion of the paddock balcony and $2.6 million paddock/ toteboard complex finalizes Phase III of President Tom Meeker's five-year capital improvement plan, with more than $13 million spent in the first two years. The track is formally placed on the register of National Historic Landmarks by the Department of the Interior at ceremonies dedicating the paddock/toteboard complex in the fall.

1987 - Churchill Downs opens a private membership Turf Club located in the area that was formerly Dining Room B. A million-dollar Pick Six pool, built up during the Fall Meet, ends on November 14 as three perfect tickets each return $396,958.60. That day, a crowd of 28,396 is in attendance and more than 1,000 cars are ushered to the infield to alleviate the parking burden. On November 1, opening day of the Fall Meet, a larger-than-life sized statue of Aristides, winner of the first Kentucky Derby, is dedicated in the clubhouse garden.

1988 - Churchill Downs establishes records in attendance and wagering for the Spring and Fall meets, to complete a string of nine consecutive record meets. Winning Colors becomes only the third filly in racing history to capture the Kentucky Derby. The Fall is highlighted by the $10 million Breeders' Cup Day races, witnessed by a record 71,237 fans on November 25. The Fall Meet also sees the advent of intertrack wagering (ITW), in which Churchill races are simulcast at in-state tracks.

1989 - The track celebrates the 100th running of the Fall Meet. Don Brumfield, the track's all-time leading rider in terms of races won (925), retires from racing. The infield is opened for the first time in Oaks history. The year also marks the first time Churchill Downs has received the entire seven-race simulcast of the Breeders' Cup; the introduction of the "DreamStakes," a Kentucky Lottery game based on the results of the Kentucky Derby; and the selection of Churchill Downs as the host site for the 1991 Breeders' Cup.

1990 - Renovation highlights include a new numeric seating configuration for the entire 51,500 seat complex. Pat Day becomes the track's all-time leading rider in career wins, surpassing Don Brumfield on May 3, with his 926th Churchill victory. On November 22, Day scores the 5,000th win of his career, piloting Screen Porspect to victory in the Falls City Handicap.

1991 - The return of the Breeders' Cup highlights the year with third-largest crowd in Cup history, 66,204. Churchill President Tom Meeker is installed for a two-year-term as president of Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA). The Kentucky Oaks provides its sixth consecutive record crowd (73,785), as Lite Light streaks to a 10-length victory in the stakes record time of 1:48 4/5 and becomes the first filly to wear a garland of lilies. In June, the Board of Directors approves a 10 for 1 stock split which is initiated on August 15.

1992 - The Sports Spectrum, Churchill Downs' $15 million, state-of-the-art intertrack wagering and sports viewing facility, located on the site of the old Louisville Downs harness track, opens November 29. Warner L. Jones, Jr., the 76-year-old chairman of the board of Churchill Downs, announces in May that he will not seek re-election to the office. Jones served on the track's board since 1941 and as chairman since 1984. William S. Farish succeeds Jones as chairman in June. The Derby is televised for the first time ever to Russia through the Russian State Television and Radio Company.

1993 - Breeders' Cup Limited announces that the $10 million championship will return to Churchill Downs on November 5, 1994, giving Churchill the distinction of becoming the first racetrack to host the event three times. Churchill Downs mangement pursue development projects in several key areas throughout the year including the pursuit of a license to build a racetrack in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Churchill becomes involved in the development of Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana, and off-track betting operations in that state, as well as with a strategic alliance with the Promus Companies to persue riverboat gaming opportunities in southern Indiana. Pick Six mania sweeps over Churchill Downs during the Spring and Fall race meets. On Saturday, June 12, three separate Kentucky Pick Six records are established -- largest carryover pool ($750,068), one-day wagering record ($1,060,892) and largest combined pool ($1,609,390). On closing day of the Fall Meet, Novemebr 27, a record single-ticket payoff and the second largest Pick Six payoff in Churchill history are recorded when one lucky patron earns $351,941.

1994 - Warner L. Jones, Jr., chairman of the board from 1984-1992, died at his beloved Hermitage Farm in February. Churchill became the first site to host the Breeders' Cup three times, as the track provided a record 71,671 for the 11th running of the event. The Churchill Downs Management Company (CDMC) opened Hoosier Park at Anderson, Indiana's first pari-mutuel racetrack. The $15 million dual Standardbred/Thoroughbred facility opened September 1 with 7,633 in attendance; $406,485 was wagered. CDMC received one setback during the year, as the Compamy's attempt to secure Virginia's only pari-mutuel license failed. Whole-card wagering was implemented in Kentucky and the Sports Spectrum offered its first out-of-state-card on July 22, with $648,374 wagered and 2,905 in attendance. In September, the Sports Spectrum opened its 500 stall annex and six furlong training track. Jockey Pat Day collected a record 100th Churchill stakes victory, as he guided Flanders to a winning effort in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

1995 - For the first time in history, Kentucky Derby wagering was offered in state on race day to intertrack and OTB sources with $1,618,608 reported. The Derby notched another first in its history as Ski Captain, who finihsed 14th, became the first Japanese ridden and trained contestant. Derby Week at Churchill served as the background for the filming of the ABC-TV movie "Derby", which aired nationally on June 17. The Kentucky Derby purse was increased to $1 million guaranteed minimum gross and the Kentucky Oaks to $500,000 guaranteed following a June 15 announcement by the board of directors. An agreement is reached to move the Kentucky Derby post position draw in 1996 from its traditional Thursday date to Wednesday in order to facilitate national television coverage on ESPN. The Triple Crown received a new sponsor on August 17, as VISA-USA replaced Chrysler. The Series was retitled the "Visa Triple Cown Challenge". The largest Pick Six payoff in Churchill history, $417,389.80, was paid out on May 10. On-track wholecard wagering made its debut on June 9. Churchill Downs and ODS Technologies announced an agreement on June 20 to test the nation's first interactive home wagering system in select homes in the Louisville market. The Churchill Downs Management Company continued to expand the Churchill market in Indiana, as the subsidiary opened off-track wagering centers in Merrillville, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. Hoosier Park at Anderson followed its success with Standardbred racing with the opening of Indiana's first pari-mutuel Thoroughbred meet on September 1. On October 7, Hoosier Park held the Indiana Derby. Indiana riverboat gaming made its Ohio River debut in Evansville on December 7.

1996 - Churchill entered the computer age, as the track launched www.kentuckyderby.com on March 25. Kentucky Oaks attendance reached a record 91,930, as the race became the second largest attended day in Thoroughbred racing, behind the Derby. VISA-USA developed a commercial based on a Kentucky Derby theme at Churchill as part of their sponsorship agreement with the Triple Crown. The track inaugurated the Oaks-Derby Double wager. On May 21, the Indiana Gaming Commission issued a riverboat license to Caesar's World for a development in adjacent Harrison County. Jockey Pat Day carried the Olympic Torch under the finish line during its visit to Louisville on June 6. Just weeks after the announcement of an Indiana riverboat, Churchill's board passed a resolution on June 13 to aggressively pursure alternative forms of gaming at the track. Oaks and Derby Day general admission prices were increased to $15 and $30 respectively. After 20 years as Churchill's track announcer, Mike Battaglia was named the track's primary television commentator while Kurt Becker was selected to call the races beginning in 1997.

1997 - An aggressive marketing campaign was initiated which included admission prices lowered to $2 for both the grandstand and clubhouse, the lowest fee since 1969; a focus on attracting families, featuring track mascot, Churchill Charlie and lower food pricing. The former paddock, used from the mid-1920's to 1986, was renovated for $1 million into a wholecard wagering facility. For the first time in history, the infield was opened Thursday of Derby Week, with a record of 19,863. Oaks Day attendance rose to a record 92,547. Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm trained the entire Triple Crown campaign at Churchill, highlighted by a public workout attended by nearly 2,500 on Tuesday, June 3. Silver Charm was later honored in a public appearance during the races on June 21. Track announcer Kurt Becker called his first race at Churchill Downs on April 26. Trainer Patrick Byrne established a Churchill Downs record for most consecutive races won with a string of eight. Favorite Trick, who was trained by Byrne, became the first horse to sweep the Spring juvenile stakes and was later given the Eclipse Award for Champion Juvenile Colt and Horse of the Year. Nearly 17,000 racing fans attended the renewal of steeplechase racing on closing day, June 29. On September 4, it is announced that Churchill would host the 1998 Breeders' Cup, the first four-time site for the event. Forbes magazine announced the Company as one of the top 200 small companies in America. Sports Spectrum offered its first international races from Australia on December 4.

1998 - The stakes program received a major upgrade as the overall schedule was increased $1.2 million to a record $7.8 million, highlighted by the Grade II Stephen Foster at $750,000, the richest Churchill stakes outside of the Kentucky Derby. The race attracted a talented field headlined by Silver Charm, who was defeated by eventual Breeders' Cup Classic winner Awesome Again. The Kentucky Derby Post Draw was revised to allow owners and trainers the opportunity to select their post position following a random draw that determines the selection order. Wagering interests for the Kentucky Derby were expanded from 12 to 14. In March, the board of directors approved a shareholders-rights plan to prevent unwanted takeovers. The board also approved a 2-1 stock split and announced an increse in the line of credit from $20 million to $50 million. A later announcement increased that line of credit to $100 million. The track finalized the purchase of Ellis Park and the Kentucky Horse Center on April 21 for $22 million. The first-ever Kentucky Derby Alumni Day was held with an all-star group of owners, trainers and jockeys on hand for the June 13 event. African-American Ansel Williamson, the first Kentucky Derby winning trainer, was inducted into the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame, located in Saratoga Springs, NY. The track served as the location for the filimg of the motion pictures "Nice Guys Sleep Alone" and "Simpatico". Construction began on the Central Avenue expansion project that will link Churchill Downs, University of Louisville's Papa John's Stadium and the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center. Star Bank constructed a branch within the grounds of the track, making it the first-ever full service bank at a racetrack. The track announces its plans for a Derby Future Bet for 1999 to allow fans three separate opportunities (in February, March and April) to wager on Derby contenders leading up to the race. Churchill became the first four-time host of the Breeders' Cup with a record 80,452 on hand for the Nov. 7 event. On Wednesday of Breeders' Cup week, a United Parcel Service 747 jet experienced engine problems over the Downs, as aircraft debris dropped on the backside, hitting the barn of Breeders' Cup Classic favorite Skip Away. Alex Waldrop is named General Manager for the track and Rebecca Reed as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary to become the highest ranking woman in the track's corporate history. Riverboat gaming begins local operations on Nov. 20. Silver Charm makes his third appearance of the year at Churchill, as he wins the Clark Handicap to become the first Kentucky Derby winner to return and win at the Downs since Alysheba in the 1988 Breeders' Cup Classic.

1999 - The 125th runnings of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby highlighted the year, and the end of the century. Oaks Day provided a record 101,034, the fifth consecutive record attendance for the event, and the Kentucky Derby drew the second largest crowd in history, 151,051. Churchill Downs acquired a majority interest in Charlson Broadcast Technologies LLC on January 15. The Company announced on January 21 that it had signed an agreement to purchase Calder Race Course for $86 million, the agreement was completed on April 26. The Kentucky Derby Future Wager was initiated February 18, as a total of $676,233 was wagered in 15 states around the country during the three periods the bet was offered. Charismatic, the eventual Derby winner, was listed as a field horse during each of the wagering sessions. Luke Kruytbosch is named the fifth announcer in the history of the track, as he replaced Kurt Becker. The Kentucky Lottery unveiled a scratch-off game titled "Derby 125" - the $5 a ticket game offered a top prize of $125,000 and featured six scenes of the Derby, including a 125th Derby logo. As a tribute to Derby 125, a racecar is developed with a Derby theme to race in NASCAR's California 500 the day after the "Run for the Roses". Pepsi becomes the official soft drink of Churchill Downs. Churchill Downs Incorporated offers an additional 30 million shares of stock and the board of directors approves a $250 million line of credit. Racing superstition finds its way into the design of the Kentucky Derby trophy, as the decorative horseshoe is turned 180 degrees, so the ends point up so the luck won't run out. On September 10, the Company finalizes the purchase of Hollywood Park for $140 million. Alex Waldrop is named the 11th president of Churchill Downs racetrack on September 14, as Tom Meeker, president and CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated, focuses total attention on the Company's growing family of tracks. NBC was made the network for the Derby and Triple Crown as an announcement is made on October 4 - the five year agreement is from 2006-2005. Churchill Downs is named the host site for the 2000 Breeders' Cup scheduled for November 4.

2000 - The year marked the third century in which Churchill has offered racing. Renovations continued as the track completed construction of a $4 million marquee entrance at Gate 1. The two-story structure provided a new, common entrance to the track and its Infield and included new corporate offices on the second floor, An accompanying $10 million renovation of the Kentucky Derby Museum was also completed. A new corporate logo for Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), a stylized rendering of the famed Twin Spires of Churchill Downs, was unveiled on Feb. 9 as brand of a branding initiative for all of the properties held by CDI. Fusao Sekiguchi became the first Japanese owner to win the Kentucky Derby when his Fusaichi Pegasus captured the historic Kentucky Derby 2000 before a crowd of 153,204, the second largest crowd in race history. Kentucky Oaks attendance grew for the sixth consecutive year to a record 106,156. Jockey Marlon St. Julien became the first African-American rider to compete in the Derby since Henry King rode Planet in 1921, finishing seventh abord Curule. Churchill Downs Incorporated sold the Kentucky Horse Center in Lexington to the Keeneland Association. Jockey Pat Day scored his 2,000th Churchill Downs win on June 30. The long-awaited Central Avenue Project, which widened the street to four lanes and connected Churchill to the University of Louisville Football Stadium and the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, officially opened in September. On September 8, Churchill Downs Incorporated completed a merger with Chicago's Arlington International Race Course. The deal involved an exchange of stock that gave Arlington owner Richard Duchossois 4.4 million shares of Churchill stock. Churchill announced that the Derby would no longer offer betting on a mutual field starting in 2006 and that the number of individual wagering interests could grow to as many as 20. A corporate realignment gave Churchill Downs president Alex Waldrop management oversight of all the company's racing operations in Kentucky, including duties as president of Ellis Park. Churchill became the first track to host the Breeders' Cup five times and the event attracted a crowd of 76,043, including 4,862 at the Sports Spectrum - the fourth largest crowd in Cup History. It was announced that the post time for the 2006 Derby will be moved from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. to facilitate the National Derby telecast by NBC, which gained network television rights to the Triple Crown from ABC.