Hospitality And Customer Service Share Spotlight With Enhanced Security For Kentucky Derby And Oaks 128

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 29, 2002) - With the 128th renewals of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks just days away, Churchill Downs continues to gear up new hospitality and customer service programs designed to ease any concerns among Derby and Oaks fans regarding enhanced security and safety measures that will be in place for the biggest days in American racing.

Fans of the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 3 and the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4 will be required to undergo a search by a magnetic wand metal detector and are prohibited from bringing some items, including coolers and bottles (plastic or glass), into the track on those days. But Churchill Downs has been working to ensure that, once those Derby and Oaks fans walk through the admission gates, they will enjoy an experience that varies little from the celebrations of previous Oaks and Derby Days.

The track's admission gates have been reconfigured and 10 new turnstiles have been added to increase the total number of admission turnstiles to 61 - a 20 percent increase. Churchill Downs President Alex Waldrop said it would probably be a good idea for fans to arrive at the track a bit earlier than normal on both days, but he said there is a very good chance that passage through those admission gates will be faster and more efficient than in previous years.

"Our enhanced safety procedures for Kentucky Derby and Oaks Days will mean some adjustments on the part of everyone, but we're confident that our hospitality and customer service programs developed by Churchill Downs and our partners will enable all Derby and Oaks fans to have a wonderful time," said Waldrop. "Derby and Oaks fans will notice those efforts well before they reach our admission gates and, when they arrive at the gates, we believe they'll be able to quickly enter the track and enjoy both days."

With the exception of prohibited coolers and bottles, fans will be able to bring most of the items they have always brought to Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby and Oaks Days. The hospitality and customer service programs established to help fans, especially those in the track's Infield, obtain the items they need for the day. The hospitality efforts include:

• A partnership with Louisville, Ky.-based Thorntons to establish two "Thorntons Quick Café and Market" locations in the Infield. The markets will offer a wide range of products at prices that are within pennies of those available at Thorntons locations throughout the community. The list of products available in those markets includes coolers, ice, picnic items, deli sandwiches, soft drinks, water, sunglasses, sunscreen, and over-the-counter medications. For a complete list of products and prices that will be offered at the Thorntons Quick Café and Market locations, consult the Kentucky Derby Web site at www.kentuckyderby.com.
• A 20 percent increase in concession stands at the track and a reduction in the price of soft drinks and water at those locations. Churchill Downs will also operate water-only stands for the first time in the track's Infield.
• The distribution of free samples of sunblock from Banana Boat®, America's second-leading brand of suncare products. A total of 250,000 packets of Banana Boat's new VitaSkin(tm) SPF 30 sunblock will be available at four distribution locations: two in the Infield, one near the Paddock, and one near Gate 10 (the Longfield Avenue entrance gate).
• An increased presence of hospitality and customer service representatives at all admission gates for immediate help in dealing with patron's concerns.

Items that may be carried in to Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby and Oaks Days include:

• Food items in clear plastic bags - limit of two (2) per person (maximum size 18"x 18" - no trash bags)
• "Box" lunches if packaged in clear plastic bags or clear plastic containers (maximum size 18"x 18" - no trash bags)
• Cellular telephones, cameras, and camcorders (patrons required to turn electronic items on before entry is allowed)
• Small personal music systems, radios and televisions - no "boom boxes"
• Binoculars
• Purses and baby bags (all subject to search)
• Strollers (if used to carry an infant, not permitted if packed with other items)
• Chairs (Gate 3 only)
• Blankets (Gates 1 & 3 for infield use only)
• Tarpaulins (Gates 1 & 3 for infield use only)

Items that may not be carried in to Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks and Derby Days include:

• Weapons
• Bottles and cans of any kind (includes all beverage and lotion containers - glass, plastic or metal)
• Thermoses
• Coolers
• Grills
• Backpacks, luggage and duffel bags
• Wagons
• Umbrellas

The Oaks and Derby Day safety policies will not be in place for the program on Thursday, May 2 that will include the annual "Festival In The Field" celebration. The track's regular security procedures will be in place on that day. Items that may not be brought in to the track on days other than Oaks and Derby Days include:

• Coolers
• Backpacks
• Duffel bags
• Luggage

Purses and baby bags are permitted each day of the Spring Meet, but those items will be subject to search.

Admission gates open at 8:00 a.m. (all times EDT) and post time for the first race is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on both Kentucky Oaks Day, May 3 and Kentucky Derby Day, May 4. Post time for the Kentucky Oaks, the ninth of 10 races, is 5:43 p.m. There will be 11 races on Kentucky Derby Day and the Derby is the day's ninth event. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for 6:04 p.m.

Churchill Downs, the world's most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America's greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) also operates Trackside Louisville, an off-track betting facility. Churchill Downs will conduct the 128th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2002. The track has served as host to the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships a record five times. The 2002 Spring Meet at Churchill Downs continues through July 7 and its Fall Meet is scheduled for Oct. 27-Nov. 30. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.