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Churchill Downs moves fall opener to afternoon Churchill Downs will switch its racing program on Sunday, October 31 -- the opening day of the track's 21-day fall meet -- from a "Downs After Dark" night racing event to an afternoon session, pending approval of the change by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC). If the change obtains the expected KHRC approval, post time for the opening day racing program would be 12:40 p.m. (ET). That day will feature the first of the fall meet's pair of popular "Stars of Tomorrow" racing programs devoted exclusively to races for two-year-olds -- the age group that will be eligible for the 137th renewals of the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Kentucky Oaks (G1) next spring. With the change, the "Downs After Dark" program on Friday, November 19, will be the only night racing program of the fall meet, which is scheduled to conclude on November 28. Details and a theme for the November 19 Downs After Dark program will be announced soon. Tickets and dining packages for the night racing event on the Friday before Thanksgiving week are available now at http://tickets.churchilldowns.com, the track's online ticket office. The decision by track officials to shift the October 31 racing program to daylight hours was prompted by concerns about attempting the concept of racing under the lights on a Sunday evening and the possible impact of the event from community and family Halloween celebrations. "We were very enthusiastic when we first looked at the idea of a celebration of Halloween under the lights between the Twin Spires, and it remains an idea that we will study closely down the road," said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack. "We're just not sure that this year's Sunday spot on the calendar provides the best opportunity for an enjoyable 'Downs After Dark' experience. So we have decided, pending the needed KHRC approval, to run in the afternoon this year and look at a Halloween night racing program later on." Previous "Downs After Dark" racing sessions -- all conducted over the past two spring meets at the historic track -- have been either Friday sessions that served as kick-offs for weekend activities or, on one occasion, a Thursday night session that led-in to a three-day holiday weekend. "While night racing on Halloween and all that would include is very exciting at first glance, concerns have arisen as our Churchill Downs team has planned for that event," Flanery explained. "The Sunday night schedule could cause issues for the many fans who need to return to their jobs early on Monday. We've also become increasingly concerned that the Sunday program would force fans to choose between more traditional Halloween celebrations and our night-time event. We believe 'Downs After Dark' racing on Halloween is an exciting idea, but given the day's position on the 2010 calendar, we're not sure, given the circumstances, that a 'Downs After Dark' Halloween program on the opening day of our 2010 Fall Meet would be in the best interests of our fans, horsemen and neighbors." The Churchill Downs fall meet includes the return of the Breeders' Cup World Championships for a record seventh time, but its first visit to the track as a two-day event. The Breeders' Cup will be held November 5-6.
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