LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Champions Day continued driving excitement behind celebrations for Derby 150 at Churchill Downs, meant to celebrate the history of the Derby and pay tribute to champions across the sports world.
According to Darren Rogers, Senior Director of Communications & Media Services for Churchill Downs, the track played host to 25,470 visitors, an increase of 5,353 from 2023’s crowd.
The crowd, along with the number of bets placed on races, is expected to grow significantly in the days ahead.
Of Champions Day bets, many locals favored a locally-trained horse named Next. The horse won four races in a row going into Champions Day, and better felt confident he could do it again. That he did, taking home the win for race eight.
FanDuel analyst Caton Bredar pointed out that the increase in local bets is driving interest, especially during the first year of legal online betting in Kentucky. The international crowd is expected to join in with local betters and push the Kentucky Derby to a new record in horse race betting.
Adding to the celebrations was the announcement for the 2024 Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame.
In a moment of special recognition, Gov. Andy Beshear honored Ansel Williamson, the trainer for Aristides, the first Kentucky Derby winner in 1875. Beshear was joined by Ed Brown Society and Churchill Downs officials to honor the lives of Williamson and other Black horses who contributed so much to the sport.
Then the Louisville Sports Commission announced the 2024 Class of the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame, adding to it Teddy Bridgewater, Oscar Combs, Tony Delk and Roy Pickerill.
Copyright 2024 WAVE. All rights reserved.
