Churchill Downs readies to show itself off at 2018 Breeders' Cup

Churchill Downs readies to show itself off at 2018 Breeders' Cup
Photo: Eclipse Sportswire

By Jonathan Lintner

Before the revitalization of Louisville’s East Market street, additions along Whiskey Row downtown and a city-wide restaurant boom, Churchill Downs hosted back-to-back Breeders’ Cup championships from 2010-2011.

As the event returns in 2018, the track is preparing to show off all that has changed.

“We’re going to ask leaders of this community — from all over the place and all over the state — to help us do that,” said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack.

Churchill Downs and the Breeders’ Cup unveiled the beginnings of the local Host Committee this week that already includes local businessmen Jonathan Blue and Bruce Lunsford; Dr. David Richardson, vice chairman of surgery at the University of Louisville; and Alex Rankin, a member of Churchill Downs Inc’s board of directors. That list is set to grow, with the first meeting on how to proceed held Wednesday.

Flanery views the Breeders’ Cup as more than just two days of high-caliber racing under the Twin Spires. Rather, events will happen in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 2-3 Breeders’ Cup. If that sounds familiar, a similar approach has raised the Kentucky Derby’s profile with a festival including a fireworks show, balloon race, concerts and other associated events.

“I think the city of Louisville for many, many years has shown they can put on a great party, so we’re excited about it,” Flanery said.

Craig Fravel, president and CEO of the Breeders’ Cup, pointed out more options for host hotels in Louisville and activities in Louisville this time around. To add, Churchill Downs continues to spend on improvements, including new suites at the top of the stretch and a reshaped parking flow.

Fravel spoke from The Mansion, the sixth-floor venue shaped from the former press box overlooking the finish line at Churchill Downs -- and he did so weeks after Del Mar's debut as a Breeders' Cup host. While stage in an idyllic setting this year, the next returns to the place that bills itself as the World's Most Legendary Racetrack.

“Just being in rooms like this at Churchill brings to life the amount of money they put into this facility,” he said. “What a truly great racing facility it is — with how many options there are for participants and customers to come enjoy the Breeders’ Cup. Churchill brings a lot to the table. It’s obviously used to handling big crowds with the Derby, and we’ve had some of our most exciting moments with the Breeders’ Cup here.”

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