Churchill Downs Set to Race under the Stars as Night Racing Debuts on Friday, June 19

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(Business Wire)--
Churchill Downs will conduct the first of three historic "Downs After Dark"
night racing sessions on Friday, June 19, as the home of the Kentucky Derby
turns up the lights for the first time in its 135-year history. After the
spectacular premier of the "Downs After Dark" racing experience, two additional
sessions will follow on Friday, June 26, and Thursday, July 2, with the latter
serving as a first-of-its-kind kickoff for Independence Day festivities and the
closing weekend of the 2009 Spring Meet.

Admission gates will open at 4 p.m. (all times EDT) for each session of night
racing, with first post for each 11-race card scheduled for 6 p.m.

"Racing is at the core of everything we do at Churchill Downs, and it remains as
important to us today as when we first opened our gates in 1875," said Kevin
Flanery, senior vice president of Churchill Downs Incorporated. "But one hundred
and thirty-five years changes a lot of things, and as we seek to redefine the
racetrack experience and keep our sport relevant for today`s customers, we are
excited to offer the night racing experience under the Twin Spires for the very
first time. We hope our customers will enjoy the upscale evenings we have
planned, which will offer our guests the perfect blend of a night on the town
and the excitement of Thoroughbred racing."

As usual, the on-track action at Churchill Downs will match talented horses from
top stables ridden by many of America`s greatest jockeys. The racetrack itself,
however, will be transformed into Louisville`s ultimate entertainment hotspot
for the "Downs After Dark" experience. On June 19, customers will receive a
celebrity welcome into Churchill Downs with the chance to walk the red carpet,
which will be richly decorated with colorful buntings and seasonal flowers.
Journalist Angie Fenton and Kentucky Derby 2009 Chief Party Officer Nick
"RiNickulous" Ferrara will be on hand to interview guests as they arrive, adding
to the "celebrity arrival" feel. Once inside, the Downs will come alive with
color and live music for an extended "Happy Hours" celebration to remember.

The paddock area will offer sleek and comfortable seating areas open to the
general public, a beer garden presented by Budweiser Select at Gate 17, and food
and beverage specials that include grilled shrimp skewers, grilled vegetable
kabobs, grilled beef and chicken skewers, premium a la carte hors d`oeuvres, and
classic racetrack favorites. Regional favorite Endless Summer Band and
internationally renowned VJ 2ndNature will offer high-energy covers of modern
rock, pop and hip-hop music. The "Happy Hours" event will continue from opening
until 8 p.m.

Numerous specialty bars will be open throughout the facility during each night
racing experience. VIP guests will enjoy access to balcony parties in the
clubhouse and specialty bands featuring the jazz sounds of TA2 Latin Sounds and
Swing 39, as well as quiet lounge areas throughout the clubhouse illuminated in
soothing mood lighting.

Night racing programs at Churchill Downs will offer exciting dining options for
the first-ever evening of racing under the Twin Spires. They include the
following:

* "Dinner by Design" in the Stakes, Aristides and Directors Rooms offers an
upscale option for guests seeking an elegant night on the town. A lavish evening
is planned, with a sumptuous five-course dinner designed by Tony Mantuano, the
award-winning and critically acclaimed executive chef of Spiaggia in Chicago,
the Windy City`s only four-star Italian restaurant. The experience will be
completed by celebrity chef appearances, including a visit by Levy Restaurants
Executive Chef Jo Jo Doyle, as well as wine pairings and a full bar package
until 9 p.m. "Dinner by Design" reservations are available at a cost of $150 per
guest.
* "Date Night" in Millionaires Row 4, Millionaires Row 6 and other premium areas
will offer a "supper club" feel for couples enjoying a night out. As guests
arrive, a selection of appetizers will be brought to their tables, including
antipasto platters and an amuse bouche of shrimp tango. A Chef`s Table featuring
the main course of beef sirloin and chicken criolla accompanied by a selection
of sides will open at 6:30 p.m., and a flambé action station will offer classic
desserts until 10 p.m. Live music and dancing cap off the unforgettable evening.
Reservations in Millionaires Row 4 are available at a cost of $59.90 per guest.
Reservations in Millionaires Row 6 include a full bar package and are available
at a cost of $95 per guest.
* The Matt Winn Dining Room is offering an elegant Chef`s Table dining
experience complete with live music from a jazz trio. Reservations are available
for $49.90 per guest.

Churchill Downs will offer reserved clubhouse seating for $15 in advance, which
includes admission, a box seat in the third-floor clubhouse and a program.
Prices are effective for the June 19 date only. For reservations and
availability, please contact Churchill Downs at (502) 636-4400.

Admission to "Downs After Dark" is $10 on June 19 and $6 on both June 26 and
July 2. Members of Churchill Downs` free customer rewards program, the Twin
Spires Club, and seniors age 60 and older will be admitted for just $1 each
night. Twin Spires Club signups will not be available during "Downs After Dark,"
but interested parties are welcome to sign up on any live racing day outside of
Gate 10 or at any Twin Spires Club service desk inside the racetrack.

Churchill Downs is offering a special reduced-price $15 package for admission to
all three night racing sessions. The "Downs After Dark" package ticket may be
purchased by calling (502) 646-4400. It will also be available at the reserved
seating booth inside Gate 17 beginning Thursday, June 4, and outside of Gates 1,
10 and 17 on June 19.

Parking for "Downs After Dark" is free in the Longfield Avenue lot, with on-site
parking available on a first-come, first-served basis. Valet parking will be
available. Churchill Downs will also offer free parking at Papa John`s Cardinal
Stadium and will run free round-trip shuttle service throughout the evening.

The lighting in place to illuminate the famous one-mile oval of Churchill Downs
was supplied by Musco Sports Lighting, a leader in sports-lighting technology.
Nearly 400 TempLight units will be in place at 43 locations around the
racetrack, with power ranging from 1500 to 6000 watts. Additional lighting will
be installed through the facility, including the paddock area and public parking
lots.

Churchill Downs, the world`s most legendary racetrack, has conducted
Thoroughbred racing and presented America`s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby,
continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of
Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN) also operates
Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the
historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 136th running of the Kentucky
Derby on May 1, 2010. The track`s 2009 Spring Meet is underway and continues
through July 5. Churchill Downs is scheduled to host the Breeders` Cup World
Championships for a record seventh time on November 5 and 6, 2010. Information
about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5976875&lang=en

Churchill Downs Incorporated
Kevin Flanery, 502-636-4859
kevin.flanery@kyderby.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009