How to Visit the Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby Racehorse Track

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By Marilyn Brodeur
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Visit the Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby Racehorse Track

If you are visiting the Louisville area, a stop at Churchill Downs is a must. The iconic Twin Spires overlook the track where the Kentucky Derby is run each year. Visit Churchill Downs Racetrack, and you will have a greater appreciation for the horses and the tradition of the Kentucky Derby. Read below to find out more.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Admission ticket
Camera

Step 1

Barbaro (middle)

Walk by the Barbaro statue at the entrance to the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs. He decisively won the 2006 Kentucky Derby and was a favorite to win the Preakness Stakes. Barbaro was cremated after his injury at the 2006 Preakness and his remains are buried at Churchill Downs.
Step 2

Churchill Downs Racehorse Track

Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum. Due to recent flooding, this museum at Churchill Downs will be closed until the beginning of 2010.
Step 3

Rubber Bricks

Go on a free 30 minute walking tour. The tour guides are mostly students who work with or are in equestrian studies. They are very knowledgeable and are filled with Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs facts. Even though the museum is closed, the tour leaves from the Churchill Downs gift shop at gate 17. Learn about the history and the proceedings on Kentucky Derby race day. From the paddock to the special rubber bricks used to protect the horses hooves on the way to the track, you are sure to learn something new about the Kentucky Derby.
Step 4

Churchill Downs Paddock

Spend some time taking pictures and exploring the places your tour guide pointed out. The Churchill Downs stadium, the paddock, and the gardens are all open during the day.
Step 5

Churchill Downs Stadium

Drive around the back of Churchill Downs so you can see the horse stables. At any one time there can be up to 1400 horses stabled at Churchill Downs. You can get a glimpse of the work involved in keeping the horses healthy and fit for the Kentucky Derby.
Step 6

Twin Spires

When you see the twin spires on TV for the Kentucky Derby, you can sit back and think to yourself "I've been there." And you can also think about how it wasn't packed and you didn't have to wait in longs lines at the Churchill Downs bathrooms either.

Comments

lifeengineer said

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on 8/29/2009 Go on a race day. You can spent the day betting $5-$10 per race and usually be +/- only about $50. You win some and lose some. There is nothing like a day a Churchhill downs. Great write up and photos.