LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE)- As we count down the days to the first 151st Run for the Roses, Churchill Downs is offering a week’s worth of events to celebrate the first Saturday in May.
Run for the Roses Package | Purchase Tickets
New this year is the Run for the Roses Package, which offers guests an all-access general admission pass for Derby week. The package includes GA tickets to all six of Churchill Downs’ most exciting events:
- Opening Night
- 502’sDay
- Winsday
- Thurby
- Kentucky Oaks
- Kentucky Derby
Opening Night | Purchase Tickets
Opening Night | Gates Open: 4:00 p.m. | First Race: 5:00 p.m.
Celebrate the 151st Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks with post-position draws. This year’s theme for Opening Night is Great Gatsby-inspired. Guests are encouraged to dress in their finest 1920s attire for a night that sets the stage for a week filled with excitement, tradition, and celebration!
Dawn at the Downs
Dawn at the Downs is an annual tradition for both Louisvillians and visitors. Racing fans have the opportunity to watch Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders during their morning workouts, while selecting their favorites for the weekend’s races.
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Thursday, April 24th-Wednesday, April 30
Time: 6:45 a.m. ET to 10:00 a.m. ET
Dawn at the Downs Dining | Purchase Tickets
April 27th and 28th | 6:45 a.m. ET to 10 a.m ET
502’sDay | Purchase Tickets
Gates Open 11:30 a.m. | First Race 12:45 p.m.
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502’sDay returns for its third year on April 29, shining the spotlight on the Louisville community. This year will pay tribute to Muhammad Ali, whose unwavering pride and profound love for Louisville mirror our community’s spirit. General admission tickets are $5
Winsday | Purchase Tickets
Gates Open 11:30 a.m. | First Race 12:45 p.m.
New this year, Winsday will debut as a day to shine the spotlight on Louisville’s nonprofit community.
Presented by Resolute Racing and in partnership with the Community Foundation of Louisville, local nonprofit organizations will be invited to fundraise and highlight the work they do for the community. A portion of each Winsday ticket will benefit their work.
Thurby | Purchase Tickets
Gates Open: 10:30 a.m. | First Race 12:45 p.m.
With only two days ahead of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs will transform into a vibrant display of Kentucky’s rich heritage. This Thurby, guests can dive into Kentucky’s storied past, celebrating Bluegrass traditions with bourbon, music and horse racing.
Kentucky Oaks | Purchase Tickets
Gates Open 9 a.m. | First Race 11 a.m.
Celebrate the 151st running of the Kentucky Oaks, America’s premier race for 3-year-old fillies. The annual race is held the day before the Kentucky Derby, offering the winner a $1.5 million purse and the iconic ‘Lilies for the Fillies’ garland. As one of the longest-running sporting events in U.S. history, Churchill Downs says the Oaks is steeped in tradition and meaning. It’s also a celebration of breast cancer awareness. Each year, fans embrace the ‘Pink Out’ tradition by wearing shades of pink and showing support for breast cancer fighters and survivors participating in the Survivor’s Parade.
Kentucky Derby | Purchase Tickets
Gates Open 9 a.m. | First Race 11 a.m.
Known as the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports, this year marks the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, presented by Woodford Reserve. The Kentucky Derby is a longstanding Kentucky tradition steeped in history. Join thousands of people around the world to witness the magic of the 151st Run for the Roses.
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