Churchill Downs Incorporated Rous and France's Vicomte Darn, vice president of the French Jockey Club. Upon his return from Europe, Clark began development of his racetrack, which would serve to showcase the Kentucky breeding industry. The track would eventually become known as Churchill Downs. The track formally opened on May 17, 1875, with four races scheduled including the day's featured race, the Kentucky Derby. Throughout the early 1900s, Churchill Downs joined with other tracks to create the Kentucky Jockey Club. With five tracks, the Club decided to dissolve in December 1927, with the purpose of re-organizing. In January 1928, the American Turf Association
Eureka Downs adjacent to the track to extend the track and build a 440-yard straightaway section to run American Quarter Horse races. The track also held Greyhound racing events on certain race days. The original grandstand burned in 1964 and was replaced. The Downs was funded by entry fees, concessions, stable fees, and spectator tickets, and much of the labor at the track was provided by volunteers. At the track's peak in the 1970s, purse distribution was over $150,000 for the Futurity race date. Over time, however, interest in the sport declined and the track struggled to remain profitable. In 1986, Kansas