HANDICAPPING HEROES -- WHAT IS IN THE FUTURE FOR CHURCHILL DOWNS and DERBY WEEK?

So, with the 144th. Derby in the rear view mirror and a successful but wet end to Derby Week, let's look at next year.

Really, you might say, Paulie? Why not? Churchill had their largest Thursday "Thurby" crowd this year. I'm not a fan of the moniker "Thurby", for what's it is worth, but it seems to be catching on with others.

Thursday used to be Louisville's Day at the Track...but more and more "locals" I talk to are shying away from the Thursday crowds and preferring to come out on Wednesday and forego the insanity of the three-day circus that is Thurby, Oaks and Derby. Which is perfectly fine. More and more out-of-towners arrive in Louisville for Derby Week on Wednesday or earlier and spend three or more days on the Churchill Downs premises.

With the advent of a new and beautiful Poplar Level facility being re-opened for gaming and such by next year's Derby Week, I can also see a lot of locals headed back there in 2019, just like they did back in the days of simulcasting there in the old Louisville Downs building.

It makes sense.

It was a fun affair. I hope it happens. The building also used to hold simulcasting when the track was "dark". That could re-develop as well and it wouldn't bother me in the least. It makes sense to have a resurgence of another local, off-track OTB besides Churchill again, especially since Indiana won't show Churchill and the bridge tolls make it a costly, daily trek over there. The Instant Racing gaming has done well at other locations and, let's face it, isn't it time that the Commonwealth of Kentucky allows casinos? Indiana is profiting off them. So are Ohio and West Virginia. More money for education and other concerns if properly set up and organized. Join the 21st. century, Kentucky.

So, this Thurby concept and possible expansion...

Does Churchill need to promote a high-profile, big dollar (I'm saying at least $500,000 purse) race for the day? You have the Oaks and Derby, why not a Kentucky Thurby race on Thursday? Maybe invite back runners from the previous year's Derby? Maybe move The Churchill Downs (Grade II) from the eighth race on Derby Day to Thursday (the purse is $500,00 for it currently) and TwinSpires or another huge concern could sponsor it and maybe up the purse? A high-profile race for older horses.

This year's Churchill Downs race brought in some great four year olds and older. Whitmore, a Derby runner in 2016. Imperial Hint, who ran in the 2016  Pat Day Mile, Limousine Liberal, who won the Churchill Downs and has run in six Churchill stakes races over the last three years.  Multi-stakes participant Awesome Slew ran and so did crowd-favorite and Churchill Downs Racing Club owned Warrior's Club, who finished second. Nine solid runners in all. That could grow if properly exploited.

It's a thought for this rapidly growing Thursday during Derby Week. Maybe just reset Wednesday as "Louisville Day" at the track and start building a three-day event. It would be unique to horse-racing, maybe other tracks would do similar to create a "triple crown" of winners for this third event and maybe, just maybe, there could even be a 3-day package made available to prospective patrons.

Thurby, Oaks and Derby. Maybe design a nice trophy for Thurby. Maybe develop an official Thurby beverage and garland of flowers for it. Tulips? Daffodils?

Just a thought on a Wednesday.


paulie
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