LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Commonwealth once again will be on display for the 148th running of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby coming up on Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7.
Churchill Downs Racetrack is considered to be one of the world's most prestigious racetracks and it has conducted thoroughbred racing and presented America's Greatest Two Minutes in Sports, the Kentucky Derby, every year since 1875.
Darren Rogers, Senior Director for Communications and Media Services at Churchill Downs Racetrack joins this In Focus Kentucky segment to chat about all the excitement and buzz surrounding Derby week in Kentucky.
"We're getting back to normal. You know, a year ago we had limited capacity. It was great to have the fans back but you know, 50,000 fans is not the same as 150,000 fans...horse racing is such a participant-type sport. You put your $2 down as Joe fan, you raise your hand in the air, cheering for him at the top of the stretch—maybe booing. You get near the finish line throwing it down, but it's the fan's game and the on site experience and we're just thrilled to have everybody back by all indication," said Rogers.
All onsite parking at Churchill Downs is reserved in advance and available for pre-purchase, as long as inventory is available. Parking within each reserved lot is first-come, first-served including ADA spaces.
If you do not have pre-purchased parking, you will not be able to purchase it onsite. At the Kentucky Exposition Center there is free parking with free shuttles going to and from Churchill Downs on Opening Night and Champions Day through Thurby. On the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby days shuttles will be going to and from the Kentucky Exposition Center as well, but this parking is available with a pre-purchased pass only.
Check out the full list of 2022 Derby week events here.
You can watch the full In Focus segment in the player above.