Kentucky, United States
Churchill Downs racecourse guide
Churchill Downs is the Louisville home of the Kentucky Derby and one of the defining venues in United States racing.
Fat Tony’sTrack fileHistory, big days & form
Know the course
A little history of Churchill Downs
The track opened in 1875 and staged the first Kentucky Derby that May. Its Twin Spires, added in the 1890s, became an enduring symbol of the racecourse and the Derby.
What to look for in the form
Dirt and turf form should be assessed separately. On Derby weekend, large fields and a fast early tempo can make position and traffic especially important.
Fat Tony says: Track knowledge helps, but it never replaces current form. Compare today’s distance, surface, draw and likely pace before making a call.
Put these in the diary
Major race days at Churchill Downs
Kentucky Derby Day
Kentucky Oaks Day
Stephen Foster Stakes Day
Form & results
Latest Churchill Downs races
RACE 9 - ALLOWANCE15 Sep 2025 · Race 9 · 1811RACE 10 - STARTER ALLOWANCE15 Sep 2025 · Race 10 · 1408RACE 1 - MAIDEN CLAIMING14 Sep 2025 · Race 1 · 1308RACE 2 - CLAIMING14 Sep 2025 · Race 2 · 1207RACE 3 - CLAIMING14 Sep 2025 · Race 3 · 1408RACE 4 - CLAIMING14 Sep 2025 · Race 4 · 1609RACE 5 - MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT14 Sep 2025 · Race 5 · 1207POCAHONTAS STAKES (G3)14 Sep 2025 · Race 6 · 1609FASIG-TIPTON LOCUST GROVE STAKES (G2)14 Sep 2025 · Race 7 · 1710IROQUOIS STAKES (G3)14 Sep 2025 · Race 8 · 1609OPEN MIND STAKES14 Sep 2025 · Race 9 · 1308LOUISVILLE THOROUGHBRED SOCIETY STAKES14 Sep 2025 · Race 10 · 1207RACE 11 - MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT14 Sep 2025 · Race 11 · 1207RACE 1 - CLAIMING12 Sep 2025 · Race 1 · 1609RACE 2 - CLAIMING12 Sep 2025 · Race 2 · 1710RACE 3 - STARTER ALLOWANCE12 Sep 2025 · Race 3 · 1609RACE 4 - ALLOWANCE12 Sep 2025 · Race 4 · 1207RACE 5 - ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING12 Sep 2025 · Race 5 · 1710RACE 6 - MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT12 Sep 2025 · Race 6 · 1207RACE 7 - ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING12 Sep 2025 · Race 7 · 1308
Read the race properly
Build better track context
Learn how distance, going, barriers and recent runs work together before you ask Fat Tony for his opinion.