Churchill Downs one week before the Derby and continues until early July. The Kentucky Derby is held the first Saturday in May and the Kentucky Oaks is run on the Friday before the Derby. A fall meet picks up in late October and closes Thanksgiving weekend in late November. A third meet in September was added in 2013. In addition to the track, clubhouse and stables, Churchill Downs also contains the Kentucky Derby Museum which focuses on the history of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs. The museum also contains a number of exhibits exploring the training and racing of thoroughbred horses.
Louisville Handicap first female to win this race. † In 2002, Two Point Two Mill won but was disqualified after an incident in the stretch and set back to eighth place. The disqualification resulted in the Dead Heat. Louisville Handicap The Louisville Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the latter part of May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Raced on turf, it is open to horses age three and older and since 2006 has been contested at a distance of miles (12 furlongs). The Grade III Louisville Handicap currently carries a purse of $100,000. Since its inauguration