Churchill Downs Opening Night Tickets

Although the renovation is pretty, they have ruined the paddock area for the regular local gathering crowd

Very Comfortable, fun and exciting...Even won a few bucks??

My friends and I were visiting from out-of-town for the Kentucky Derby Marathon and mini marathon and decided to come to Church Hill Downs for opening night. We are so glad we did! We enjoyed the photo backdrops, the drinks, the outfits & hats, and of course the horse races. If you ever visit Church Hill Downs during Derby Week, this is an experience you don’t want to miss.

Overall excellent experience. Beautiful night for horse racing under the stars. New paddock area is spectacular. Only criticism is drink prices are exorbitantly high!

Lots of fun, friendly people I look forward to the next

Great experience. The races, people venue were all thrilling and exciting

This was my fist time attending the opening night and I really enjoyed myself. The new Paddock is very beautiful. I enjoyed the music and lights.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Great races,great atmosphere and an amazing experience. 10 - 10!

I’ve been to the Derby many times, but I really enjoyed this event. It was a great way to experience what the Derby is like and get better racing views without the cost and enormous crowd that comes with the Run for the Roses. Dare I say I enjoyed it more because the museum was open so you could spend the early part of the day there learn and take a tour then enjoy the actual races later. We were able to enjoy the paddock and sit in front row of the races. Watching the fashion show on the big screen was really neat! This was an inaugural event, so things need ironed out like where people with general admission tickets were allowed to go/sit. It wasn’t really clear, but we were able to find spots and enjoy ourselves.

Churchill needs to bring back valet parking. The lots were 75% empty while they turned away guests. The food is marginal at best. Bring back the tall tables. Nobody wants to eat over a garbage can because there's nowhere to sit your food or drinks. Bring back the mixed Lilly. The premix Lilly tastes like garbage which is where you have to sit it while you eat your over priced chicken tenders. Have hosts there to wipe the dirt off your seat so your wife doesn't get dirt on her $200 dress. Churchill wants to go high society but they don't want to support it. Right now its just a half done look. It was a better experience before they blew their wad on first turn. They need to bring the large screen back to the paddock. All those expensive boxes won't be able to see anything with out it. If you are going to advertise a DJ he needs to play music until the races are over. We stood there 45 minutes and he played 3 songs. People left because they figured it was over. I've been going to Churchill for 35 years and by far this has been the worst experience.