LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Between Saturday, April 23 and Wednesday, May 4, Churchill Downs will be open free-of-charge daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. so guests can watch the nation’s top 3-year-old Thoroughbreds train toward their engagements in this year’s Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.
Horses train on Churchill Downs’ main track daily from 5:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Beginning on Saturday, there will be an exclusive training window only for Derby and Oaks participants from 7:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. following the 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. renovation break.
Those horses will be identified by special saddle towels which include their names: yellow saddle towels for Derby horses and pink saddle towels for Oaks contenders.
Kentucky Derby Morning Works will begin Monday and air on the Kentucky Derby’s website, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Fans in attendance will be able to watch the show on the track’s Big Board and infield televisions.
The first two days of Kentucky Derby and Oaks training (Saturday and Sunday) also will be livestreamed on the Kentucky Derby’s social media channels, but without commentary.
Guests can enter Churchill Downs through the Paddock Gate and can park for free in the nearby White Lot for convenient entry. Guests will be directed to Sections 115-117 to watch the morning workouts.
No outside food and beverage is allowed. Churchill Downs’ Paddock Grill will be open each morning with breakfast food and beverage options.
On Sunday, May 1 and Monday, May 2, fans can enjoy a premium breakfast in Millionaires Row or the Stakes Room for Dawn at the Downs. Tickets start at $41 and can be purchased on the Kentucky Derby’s website.
The 148th runnings of the $1.25 Longines Kentucky Oaks and $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve will be held on Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7, respectively. Opening Night of Derby Week and the 44-day Spring Meet is Saturday, April 30.