LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Churchill Downs will be open free-of-charge daily from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. beginning Thursday, April 27 and continuing through Wednesday, May 3. It’s a chance for guests to come watch the nation’s top three-year-old thoroughbreds train in the lead up to this year’s Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks during Dawn at the Downs.

What You Need To Know

  • Fans came come see horses competing in the Kentucky Derby and Oaks in their morning workouts in the week leading up to the big races

  • From Thursday, April 27 to Wednesday, May 3, guests can come to morning workouts from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

  • The exclusive training time for Derby and Oaks horses is 7:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.

  • Horses competing in the Derby will have a special yellow saddle towel and horses competing in the Oaks will have pink saddle towels

Horses train on the main track at Churchill Downs every day from 5:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. There is an exclusive training window only for Derby and Oaks participants from 7:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. 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.

Guests can enter Churchill Downs through the Paddock Gate and should park for free in the nearby Orange or Green Lots. Sections 115-117 will be available to watch the morning workouts.

The Churchill Downs Paddock Grill will be open each morning for guests, as well as the Churchill Downs store.

The Kentucky Oaks will be Friday, May 6 and the 149th Kentucky Derby will be Saturday, May 7. Opening Night of Derby week and the 44-day Spring Meet is Saturday, April 29.

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