by Frank Angst
Night time was the right time for Churchill Downs.
The Louisville track not only drew one of its largest non-Kentucky Derby (G1) week crowds on Friday when 28,011 turned out for Churchill’s first night card, but, perhaps more importantly, the track attracted the desired demographic. Most of the crowd was under 35 years old and appeared to be evenly split, men and women.
The previous Friday cards at the meet, not counting Kentucky Oaks (G1) day, averaged about 7,500 fans.
Churchill offered plenty of changes to its usual atmosphere as tables and lounge chairs added throughout the ground floor and paddock area created a beach feel on a card that started with 90-degree temperatures at 6 p.m. EDT.
Dan DeBiasi, 30, of Old Lyme, Connecticut, was attending live racing at Churchill for the third time ever.
“I thought the night would add some excitement,” DeBiasi said. “It’s something different and it’s the weekend, so people are looking for something to do.”
Final Copy won the first official night race on the card, which track announcer Mark Johnson recognized as the beginning of a new era. The victory in race eight pleased one fan who—in the style of a “Let’s Make a Deal” promotion—passed on a sure $100 and instead placed $1,000 on the 7-to-5 favorite, earning a total of $2,400.
Winning rider Robby Albarado said the temporary lights, which lined the hedge facing out and the outside of the track facing in, supplied plenty of illumination.
Brandon Gilmore, 26, and Jacqueline Buckler, 22, both of Louisville, said Churchill apparently did not expect such a big crowd because concession stands were unprepared. Waits for beer and food were running in the 30-minute range, but both of them still had fun.
“Overall, we’ve had a great time,” Gilmore said, with Buckler adding that the night atmosphere offered, “something different.”
The track charged $10 for admission, which many considered a cover charge as they took in the live bands that played throughout the night. The crowd favored the paddock area, where the concession stands were especially crowded but fans remained in good spirits.
Churchill plans two more night cards on June 26 and July 2.
Frank Angst is senior writer for THOROUGHBRED TIMES