Free Weekday Admission at Churchill Downs after Derby

Churchill Downs will offer free weekday admission, which begins the week after the May 1 Kentucky Derby (gr. I). Churchill Downs opens April 24 and continues through July 5.

During the meet Churchill Downs will offer an afternoon racing schedule with one exception: a "twilight" racing card on post-Derby Fridays that will include the track's popular "Happy Hour" food and drink prices.

Post times for Kentucky Derby Week (April 24- April 29 with no racing on April 26) are set for 12:45 p.m. (all times EDT), with 10 races included on each of those racing programs. Post time for the first race on Kentucky Oaks Day, April 30 and Kentucky Derby Day, May 1 is set for 11:00 a.m. There will be 11 races on Oaks Day and 12 races on the Derby Day card.

Following a three-day break after the Derby racing will resume May 5 with a post time of 1:15 p.m. That will be the first post for each weekday, weekend and holiday racing program for the balance of the 53-day meet with the exception of its Friday cards.

Post time for Churchill Downs racing on Fridays after Kentucky Derby Week will be 2:45 p.m. "Happy Hour" food and drink prices will be offered from 3-6 p.m. on the Friday programs, which will conclude with last of 10 scheduled races at 7:20 p.m.

The track's regular admission price of $2 ($1 for seniors) will be in place for Kentucky Derby Week programs beginning opening day and continuing through the April 29 program that includes the annual Crown Royal "Festival In The Field" celebration in the track's Infield.

Admission will be available throughout Kentucky Derby Week at all of the track's regular admission areas, which include Gates 1, 10 and 17. Most sections of the Clubhouse that were closed last fall because of the tracks' $121 million renovation will be open from April 24 through Derby Day.

Starting with the first post-Derby racing card on May 5, box seats in the Grandstand - outside of those reserved for season box holders - will be available to those fans on a first-come, first served basis.

The regular admission price of $2 ($1 for seniors) will be in place on weekends, but there will no admission charge for members of Churchill Downs' Twin Spires Club.

Free parking in Churchill Downs' Gate 10 parking lot off Longfield Ave. will be available throughout the spring meet with the exception of Kentucky Derby and Oaks Days. After Kentucky Derby Week, free round trip shuttles will transport patrons from the Longfield (Gate 10) parking lot to Gate 1.