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‘Champions For Change’: Tuesday’s Churchill Card To Celebrate Black Horsemen In Racing

Churchill Downs Racetrack announced Wednesday that this year's Kentucky Derby Week programming will introduce “Champions for Change” on Tuesday, April 27.

Champions Day presented by TwinSpires annually highlights the history of the Kentucky Derby and the sport of Thoroughbred racing. This year, as part of an industry-wide commitment to increasing diversity and inclusivity in the sport of horse racing, the day will celebrate Black Horsemen in Thoroughbred racing and feature partner organizations whose mission supports equitable opportunities in racing.

The event highlights will include a commemorative print giveaway by The Art of Kacy and artist signing by the internationally-recognized Kentucky artist himself, Kacy Jackson. Louisville artist and printmaker Norman Spencer of CloudHotelPrints will create prints highlighting Black Horsemen who dedicated their career to elevating the sport of horse racing. The Kentucky Derby Museum will also be on hand to feature items from their Black Heritage in Racing Exhibit and Tour.

Organizations that will be featured throughout Champions for Change are: Ed Brown Society, Legacy Equine Academy, Project to Preserve African American Turf History (PPATH), Phoenix Rising, and Simmons College. Global Economic Diversity Development Initiative (GEDDI), a nonprofit foundation focused on building economic wealth for the Black community in the areas of workforce, economic empowerment, supply chain, leadership development and business acceleration, is the charitable beneficiary of the day. This year, Churchill Downs has donated over $200,000 to these nonprofit and educational organizations to support their work in creating more equity in the industry of horse racing.

Last month, Churchill Downs announced a change to the name of the featured overnight stakes race on Champions Day to the $120,000 Isaac Murphy Marathon in honor of the legendary African-American and native Kentuckian who was arguably the greatest jockey American racing has ever known. The 1 ½-mile endurance race for Thoroughbreds age 4 and up was formerly known as Champions Day Marathon.

“Champions for Change is a significant addition to this year's Kentucky Derby Week programming,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson. “It is the result of months of challenging but necessary conversations where we looked not only within our own organization and at the needs of our community, but also at the sport of horseracing to explore ways we can work together toward more equity. We feel fortunate that others in our industry will join us in this effort next Tuesday and commit to being champions for change.”

Tickets to Champions Day and to join the “Champions for Change” celebration can be purchased at https://www.kentuckyderby.com/visit/derby-week/champions-day. They include Reserved Boxes to General Admission assigned seat starting at $14.

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Derby, Oaks Infield Tickets on Sale Wednesday

A limited number of infield-only general admission tickets for the Apr. 30 GI Longines Kentucky Oaks and May 1 GI Kentucky Derby day cards at Churchill Downs will go on sale Wednesday at noon at kentuckyderby.com/tickets/2021-derby-week-tickets.

“The Kentucky Derby experience is synonymous with fun and excitement and we're thrilled to welcome fans back to our infield,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson. “We remain committed to relying on the most recent scientific evidence we have surrounding COVID-19, and with Kentucky Derby week three weeks away, we are encouraged by the favorable trajectory. In addition to a low positivity rate, Kentucky's vaccination efforts have reached approximately 40% of adult Kentuckians with every indication that those numbers will continue to rapidly increase over the coming weeks leading into this year's Derby.”

Derby Day Infield-only General Admission tickets, which will not have access to the Frontside of the venue, are $75 if purchased prior to Apr. 18; $80 if purchased between Apr. 19-30; and $85 if purchased on Derby Day. Oaks Day Infield-only General Admission tickets are $55 if purchased prior to Apr. 18; $60 if purchased between Apr. 19-29; and $65 if purchased on Oaks Day.

Two-day Infield-only General Admission tickets for both Oaks and Derby are $120 if purchased prior to Apr. 18 or $135 if purchased between Apr. 19-29.

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Kentucky Derby: Limited Infield-Only Tickets Go On Sale Wednesday At Noon

A limited number of Infield-only General Admission tickets for the April 30 Longines Kentucky Oaks and May 1 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve will go on sale at 12 p.m. EST on Wednesday at www.kentuckyderby.com/tickets/2021-derby-week-tickets.

“The Kentucky Derby experience is synonymous with fun and excitement and we're thrilled to welcome fans back to our Infield,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson. “We remain committed to relying on the most recent scientific evidence we have surrounding COVID-19, and with Kentucky Derby Week three weeks away, we are encouraged by the favorable trajectory. In addition to a low positivity rate, Kentucky's vaccination efforts have reached approximately 40 percent of adult Kentuckians with every indication that those numbers will continue to rapidly increase over the coming weeks leading into this year's Derby.”

Derby Day Infield-only General Admission tickets, which will not have access to the Frontside of the venue, are $75 if purchased prior to April 18; $80 if purchased between April 19-30; and $85 if purchased on Derby Day. Oaks Day Infield-only General Admission tickets, which will not have access to the Frontside of the venue, are $55 if purchased prior to April 18; $60 if purchased between April 19-29; and $65 if purchased on Oaks Day.

Two-day Infield-only General Admission tickets for both Oaks and Derby are $120 if purchased prior to April 18 or $135 if purchased between April 19-29.

An official program is included with all tickets.

Guests who purchase Infield-only General Admission tickets must enter Churchill Downs through the Infield Admission Gate at Central Avenue and Fourth Street. The Infield-only General Admission tickets will not have access to the Frontside of the venue.

General Admission guests will have access to food and beverage options for purchase at Infield concession stands. Infield guests will also have designated restrooms and wagering windows.

Additional ticket inventory to Oaks and Derby is also available, including uncovered reserved bleacher seating in the First Turn; uncovered reserved box seating for six in the Infield; and First and Second Floor Grandstand reserved seats. All reserved seats include all-inclusive food, non-alcoholic beverages and alcoholic beverages.

As previously announced, reserved seats are limited to approximately 40 to 50 percent of seated capacity. General Admission ticket sales will be limited to approximately 25 to 30 percent of Infield capacity.

The 147^th runnings of the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks and $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve will be held on Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1, respectively.

Guests with tickets who are unable to attend the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks or other events can utilize the Kentucky Derby Ticket Exchange, the official fan-to-fan resale marketplace and only authorized resale platform, to resell tickets. The Official Kentucky Derby Ticket Exchange allows guests to resell tickets, charge face value or above and guarantee authenticity through Ticketmaster verified tickets.

Notification of the availability of additional tickets to Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks will be made by way of email and social media. Fans are encouraged to subscribe to the Kentucky Derby's email distribution list online at https://www.kentuckyderby.com/tickets/newsletter-signup and follow @KentuckyDerby on social media to stay updated on any changes to ticket availability.

Those interested in attending Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks can also visit Derby Experiences, the Kentucky Derby's Official Experience Package Partner, to explore a variety of packages combining Derby and Oaks seats with access to exclusive lounges, VIP Fast Access passes, hotel and transportation accommodations and more. Information is available online at www.derbyexperiences.com/kentucky-derby-2021.

Churchill Downs ticket options are available for other popular Derby Week events: Opening Night presented by Budweiser (Saturday, April 24); Dawn at the Downs (Sunday, April 25 and Monday, April 26); Champions Day presented by TwinSpires (Tuesday, April 27); and Thurby presented by Old Forester (Thursday, April 29).

In addition to Kentucky Derby Week, tickets are on sale for the entire 2021 Spring Meet, which covers 38 dates from Saturday, April 24 through Saturday, June 26.

Notable Spring Meet events and dates include Twilight Thursdays (Thursdays, May 6-June 24); Mother's Day (Sunday, May 9); Preakness Stakes Simulcast (Saturday, May 15); Sunday Brunch (Sundays, May 16-June 20); Downs After Dark presented by Budweiser (Saturdays, May 22 and June 12); Stephen Foster Preview Day (Saturday, May 29); Memorial Day (Monday, May 31); Teacher Appreciation Day (Thursday, June 3); Belmont Stakes Simulcast (Saturday, June 5); Flag Day Observance (Sunday, June 13); Father's Day (Sunday, June 20); and Stephen Foster Day/Closing Day (Saturday, June 26).

Churchill Downs will continue to rely on proven health and safety protocols and operate within the guidance of state health officials as well as the CDC. Information regarding Churchill Downs' Health & Safety plan for Kentucky Derby 2021 can be found at www.kentuckyderby.com/tickets/ticket-options/updates.

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Churchill Downs To Serve As COVID-19 Vaccination Site

With the Kentucky Derby over a month away, Churchill Downs is inviting the community to the historic racetrack early when it joins forces with Norton Healthcare in the race to vaccinate the public against COVID-19.

Churchill Downs will host a Norton Healthcare Vaccine Clinic for community members who are eligible per state guidelines and as supply is available. The public may now register for appointments to receive their first dose of vaccine. Appointment times are available March 29, March 30 and April 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The second round of booster shots will be automatically scheduled for April 19, April 20 and May 3 respectively. Vaccinations will take place at Churchill Downs Racetrack in the Second Floor Clubhouse.

Individuals meeting eligibility requirements (essential workers, people 50 and older and people 18-49 with chronic conditions) may register through a Norton Healthcare web link, www.nortonhealthcare/churchilldowns. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will be accepted while supplies last. 2500 individuals are expected to be vaccinated at Churchill Downs over the three days with a goal to increase equity of the vaccine and provide access to underserved areas. Residents of the neighborhoods surrounding Churchill Downs will be prioritized.

“We are proud to partner with Norton Healthcare and are pleased to be able to help offer this convenient option to the South Louisville neighbors of Churchill Downs,” said Mike Anderson, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “It is gratifying to know that we will be able to help so many in this community receive their COVID-19 vaccinations in advance of Kentucky Derby 147, helping us all return to the Derby traditions that we cherish and that bring us together.”

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