LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It's the final stretch of preparation at Churchill Downs, as Derby Week racing is nearly here. 

The contests start Tuesday, April 30 with bigger crowds and payoffs expected each day leading up to Saturday afternoon, May 4.

Monday is as "quiet" as Churchill Downs is going to get over the next six days. Without any racing happening, it's a opportune time to "school" the horses on the redesigned paddock track.

At the same time, the final touches are being added to all areas of Churchill. There's a lot happening all at once, and this doesn't even include the activity on the Backside. 

It's crunch time not just for trainers but also for artist Wylie Caudill of Lexington. He is the official artist of the Kentucky Derby, a partnership with Churchill Downs and Woodford Reserve. He's more than halfway finished with a mural near the track's main entrance, which depicts a jockey, horse and multicolor roses. 

His artwork will be featured prominently throughout Churchill Downs, an achievement the 27-year-old said he still finds hard to believe.

“I mean, when they called me, they told (me) I was selected to be the artist, I nearly just blacked out," he said. "It was such an incredible opportunity.”

While Caudill paints, other staff members are making their finishing touches before tens-of-thousands of fans begin filling the stands and walking the grounds.

“This is absolutely the biggest collaboration I’ve had with such huge international entities," Caudill said.