Hospitality and security policies and procedures in place at Churchill Downs in recent years for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks will reflect only one small change for this year’s 132nd renewals of the premier races that headline the largest week/files/storyimages/in American Thoroughbred racing on Friday and Saturday, May 5-6.
Following its annual consultations with the federal, state and local law enforcement and government agencies that join the track each year in developing security and safety efforts for the Derby and Oaks, Churchill Downs will continue the hospitality and security policies and procedures that have been in place in each of the past four years. Patrons who att/files/storyimages/the historic track’s marquee events should again expect magnetic wand searches at all Churchill Downs entrances; limits on the types of items that patrons may carry into the track that once again include a ban on coolers of any type; and higher visibility of uniformed security personnel in all areas of the track.
The one minor change in the policies is an addition to the list of items that patrons may bring into the track. This year’s Derby and Oaks patrons may bring seat cushions into the facility through all entrances. Those padded cushions may not have a back.
The hospitality, guest service and security efforts at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 5 and the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 6 will again include the location of a “general store” in the infield. The store, which will be located near the tunnels that allow access from the clubhouse to the infield, will be operated by Levy Restaurants, Churchill Downs’ food service provider. The store will offer food, drink, coolers and other items that may not be brought into the track. The items offered in the infield store will be available for purchase at prices comparable to those offered at stores throughout the community.
Churchill Downs will again station guest service and hospitality representatives at locations throughout the track to allow for quick response to questions or concerns posed by patrons on Kentucky Derby and Oaks Days.
“The Derby and Oaks fans from throughout our region and across the United States, along with those that join us from around the world, readily and easily adjusted to the major changes in our security and hospitality procedures when they were implemented four years ago,” said Steve Sexton, president of Churchill Downs. “These procedures are now a regular part of the Derby and Oaks experience, and many patrons have told us that they enjoy these marvelous days of racing more now than ever before. We deeply appreciate the patience, cooperation and understanding exhibited by Derby and Oaks fans since the changes were implemented. We also offer our sincere gratitude to the dedicated and tireless members of the federal, state and local law enforcement and government agencies that work with Churchill Downs each year on Derby and Oaks Days to ensure that our patrons enjoy a memorable and safe experience. Their work, along with the guest service efforts made by our entire Churchill Downs team, have made it easy for our fans to embrace these changes and to return to our track each year for the greatest days in American racing.”
Nearly 40 local, state and federal law enforcement and government agencies will be involved in the Derby and Oaks security effort at Churchill Downs. Agencies that joined the track in the development of security policies for this year’s events include the Louisville Metro Police Department, Louisville Fire & Rescue, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Metro Louisville Corrections, Kentucky State Police, the Kentucky National Guard, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Secret Service.
Security procedures and policies for the 2006 Kentucky Derby and Oaks include:
- Magnetic wand searches of patrons at all track entrance gates
- Limits on carry-in items for patrons and employees
- Visibility of security personnel in all areas of the track
- Placement of barriers outside the track’s admission gates
- Security sweeps of vehicles (buses, limousines and vendor vehicles) that enter the track
- Vehicles parked in all Churchill Downs lots are subject to search.
Items that may be carried by patrons through all admission gates at Churchill Downs, unless otherwise noted, include:
- Food items in clear plastic bags (maximum size 18”x 18” - no trash bags) - LIMIT TWO (2) PER PERSON
- “Box” lunches if packaged in clear plastic bags or plastic containers (maximum size 18” x 18” - no trash bags) - LIMIT TWO (2) PER PERSON
- 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 (only if carrying a child - no other items allowed)
- Seat cushions (no backs)
- 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 into the track on Derby and Oaks Days include:
- Weapons of any kind (includes all knives and scissors)
- Bottles and cans of any kind (includes all beverage and lotion containers - glass, plastic or metal)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Thermoses
- Coolers
- Grills
- Backpacks, luggage and duffel bags
- Wagons
- Umbrellas
Last year’s Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, the first conducted at the historic track since the completion of its $121 million renovation, were record setting events that attracted more than 268,000 patrons to the grounds of the track over those two days. The Kentucky Oaks drew a record crowd of 111,243 to continue a breathtaking quarter century of growth. The Oaks attracted its first crowd in excess of 50,000 in 1981 and now has recorded attendance figures of more than 100,000 in six of the last seven years. A crowd of 156,435 - the second largest in Derby history - witnessed the 2005 Kentucky Derby. That crowd was second only to the 163,628 that gathered at Churchill Downs for the 100th Derby in 1974.
