Churchill offers 'Dress to Impress' theme for third 'Downs After Dark'

Churchill offers 'Dress to Impress' theme for third 'Downs

After Dark'

High fashion will be on display Friday night at Churchill Downs as the

historic Louisville, Kentucky, racetrack takes on a "Dress to Impress" theme for

the third installment of its popular "Downs After Dark" series.

Each of this year's "Downs After Dark" events is themed, and there are only

two dates left this summer. Friday's "Dress to Impress" edition will include

fashion models and runways at each entrance and select locations throughout the

facility, plus live music by The Crashers from 4-9 p.m. (EDT) and another

appearance by the ultra-popular VJ 2ndNature, who'll mix the sounds of modern

rock, pop and hip-hop on his turntable in the paddock area 9:15 p.m. to

midnight.

Post time for the first of 11 live races Friday is 6 p.m., and the featured

10th race is the $66,500 Kelly's Landing S., an overnight seven-furlong stakes

race for three-year-olds and up. While entertainment seekers soak in the party

atmosphere, horseplayers will be focused on the Pick 6, which features a lofty

six-day carryover of $114,650 and encompass races 6-11 starting at 8:32 p.m.

"Downs After Dark" is a perfect blend of an upscale night on the town with

the excitement of Thoroughbred racing. Ancillary entertainment such as food,

fashion, music and parties is a showcased element. A total of 25,102

horseplayers and entertainment-seekers attended the 2010 debut on June 11 and

another 24,645 returned for last week's festivities.

Friday's admission gates will open at 4 p.m. and Happy Hours will take place

in the paddock area from 4-7 p.m. featuring $2 Anheuser Busch products and other

discounted food and drink offerings. Between races 4, 5, 8 and 9, the popular

sweepstakes promotion "Bet or No Bet" will return to ask randomly drawn fans to

take $100 in cash or place a free $1,000 win bet on a horse in the upcoming

race. The final live race will be after 11 p.m. and the on-track party will

continue in the paddock area until midnight.

"Date Night" dining packages in Millionaires Row and Skye Terrace remain

available for $59.90 and include a buffet dinner, live entertainment from 4-7

p.m., a reserved seat and an official program. Meanwhile, the outdoor

third-floor box seats in sections 314-323 are nearly sold out. They are on sale

for $20 and include general admission, a box seat in the third-floor clubhouse

and an official program.

General admission to all "Downs After Dark" events is $10. Holders of

shareholders passes or horsemen licenses, as well as select Twin Spires Club

members (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze members only) and children age 12 and

under (when accompanied by an adult) will be admitted free of charge.

All reserved ticket packages are available for purchase

online or by

calling the Churchill Downs switchboard at 502-636-4400.

As usual, Churchill Downs will be open early for simulcast wagering on the

second floor of the clubhouse on Friday. General admission will be its regular

price of $3 from 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Gate 17.

Those attending Friday's "Downs After Dark" are encouraged to arrive early to

secure on-site parking and avoid traffic delays. All on-property parking lots

will open at 3 p.m. and space is available on a first-come, first-served basis

(free in the Longfield Avenue lot). Last year, all lots were filled to capacity

by post time for the 2ND race. Churchill Downs will offer free parking and

shuttle service from Cardinal Stadium starting at 4 p.m. There will be free

round-trip shuttle service throughout the evening with drop off and pick up at

Gate 1.

The spring meet "Downs After Dark" finale on July 2 will be themed as "An

American Party: Boots, Brew & BBQ." Two additional dates will be held in the

fall: October 31 ("Spirits and Spires") and November 19 ("Home for the

Holidays").