Churchill Downs - Legendary Racetrack

Horse Betting

In 1883 the track was officially named "Churchill Downs," another 20 years before Twin Spires topped a new grandstand, 28 years before the racetrack became profitable, and 50 years before the Derby earned its "Run for the Roses" moniker.

Matt Winn, who led a syndicate that took the reins of the struggling facility in 1902 and eventually brought the racetrack and its signature race to a level of international acclaim virtually unmatched by a U.S.
 sporting event.

Horse Racing: Likely Kentucky Derby favorite Eskendereya will miss race

As a replay of Eskendereya’s victory in the Wood Memorial played on the big screen at the National Museum of Horse Racing and Hall of Fame’s Countdown to the Triple Crown program in Saratoga Springs on Sunday afternoon, a woman in the audience dropped her head into her hands. Several others in the room were shaking their heads.

The message was clear: Sheer disappointment that the most visually impressive colt of the spring won’t get a chance to strut his stuff in the biggest race of his young life.