• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Churchill Downs Announces $211M In Renovations

Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

Churchill Downs is making a big investment in its iconic venue.

The home of the Kentucky Derby announced three capital improvement projects totaling $211 million over the next three years.

  • $90 million will go toward the Turn 1 Experience project, featuring 7,100 all-inclusive seats set to be completed by the 2023 Derby.
  • Another $45 million will be for renovating and upgrading the Homestretch Club, an area adjacent to the Twin Spires, converting outdoor seating into three unique seating options with amenities.
  • The venue also announced construction of a hotel, gaming positions, and amenities at Derby City Gaming worth $76 million, adding 135,000 square feet of new space.

Churchill Downs already houses Millionaires Row, an exclusive interior dining room that starts at $36,000 per table, and The Mansion, an invite-only club featuring a $1,000 mint julep cocktail.

“We’ve listened to our customers’ feedback over the years and the response to those demands can be seen in these upcoming capital projects,” said Churchill Downs president Mike Anderson.

Wagers on this year’s Kentucky Derby Day in April reached $233 million, just shy of the record $250.9 million in 2019.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Final Preakness Stakes at ‘Pimlico As We Know It’ Delivers High Drama

The Baltimore horse racing track is set for a $400 million renovation.
National Thoroughbred League

Hip-Hop Icon, Goldman Vet Buy $1M Miami Horse Racing Team

Last weekend’s event was hosted by two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.

Kentucky Derby Sets Ratings, Betting Records Despite Attendance Dip

The crowd of 147,406 at Churchill Downs was down 6% from last year.

Sovereignty Wins Kentucky Derby, $3.1M Purse

The total purse was raised to $5 million last year.

Featured Today

Alex Jensen introductory press conference on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Alex Jensen Started Utah Utes HC Job While Still Coaching the Mavs

How Jensen began building an NCAA program while patrolling the Dallas sideline.
May 31, 2025

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Soccer

Chicago Stars Aren’t Asking for Taxpayer Stadium Money—Yet

A unique new law will compel Illinois lawmakers to consider women’s teams.
June 2, 2025

Bears Suburban Stadium Deal Inching Forward Despite Cost Questions

State legislators discussed a Bears-friendly bill, but ran out of time.
June 3, 2025

While Bears and White Sox Stall, Chicago Fire Make Stadium Move

The proposed $650 million stadium will be privately financed.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Dec 26, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; A general view of Soldier Field before a game between the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks
May 30, 2025

Pritzker Was a Hard ‘No’ on Bears Stadium. Now Maybe Not

The state spent $100,000 on a legal consultant.
May 30, 2025

Chiefs, Royals Stadium Plans Hit Political Wall As Both Parties Say No

Both Republicans and Democrats in Missouri oppose public funding for stadiums.
Feb 14, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of the Kansas City Royals 1985 and 2015 World Series championships on the scoreboard at Kauffman Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex.
May 28, 2025

Chiefs, Royals Stadium Public Funding Standoff Nears Endgame

Missouri legislators will review stadium bonds for the Chiefs and Royals.
U.S. Women's Golf
May 27, 2025

U.S Women’s Open Will Play on Courses Once Reserved for Men

Erin Hills Golf Course in Wisconsin is hosting this week’s tournament.