LOUISVILLE, Ky. — 502’sDay at Churchill Downs is the track’s first day of having guests, and it was a busy one.


What You Need To Know

  •  A group of over 30 women have made it a yearly tradition to go to Churchill Downs on the Tuesday of Derby week

  •  Members of the group have been doing this for 10 years

A group of over 30 women were there as part of a yearly tradition.

“We’ve gone every year for the last 10 years,” said Sarah Purdy.

They know each other through a variety of ways, like being neighbors and their kids growing up together.

The group of over 30 friends took time out to pose with Churchill Charlie in the paddock area on 502'sDay at Churchill Downs. (Spectrum News 1/Geraldine Torrellas)

“We’re all housewives and we have to go every year with our husbands for business on Thursday, Friday, Saturday so we all come together Tuesday ‘cause it’s like the more laidback, relaxed time and we can all just be together, and we spend the day together,” Purdy said.

Purdy and her friends had seats next to the track and seemed to enjoy themselves.

“We love to carry on the Kentucky tradition,” said Lisa Puffer, another friend in the group. “We love to be at Derby and we’ve done this, say, 10 years in a row with 30 of our best friends, and we just love being out here in the sunshine.”

In a group chat of about 60 women, they have to reserve their spot quickly to be part of this group at 502’sDay. Because so many want to join in, they’re considering getting two party buses for next year.