Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Churchill Downs, located on Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for annually hosting the Kentucky Derby. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs has also hosted the renowned Breeders' Cup on nine occasions, most recently on November 2 and 3, 2018. Churchill Downs Incorporated owns and operates the racetrack. With the infield open for the Kentucky Derby, the capacity of Churchill Downs is roughly 170,000. In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a
Locust Grove Handicap the Locust Grove Handicap, Ipi Tombe became the first horse bred in Zimbabwe to ever win a race at Churchill Downs. Time record: (at the distance of miles) Locust Grove Handicap The Locust Grove Handicap is an American Grade III Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Churchill Downs in late June/early July at Louisville, Kentucky. Raced on turf at a distance of miles (9 furlongs), it is open to fillies and mares, three years of age and older. In 1982 the race was run at a distance of one mile then the following year changed to 1 1/16 and was