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
Wise Dan Stakes (G2)28 Jun 2026 · Race 10 · 1710Stephen Foster Stakes (G1)28 Jun 2026 · Race 11 · 1811Tepin Stakes (L)28 Jun 2026 · Race 12 · 1609Race 1 - Claiming18 Jun 2026 · Race 1 · 1207Race 2 - Mdn Claiming18 Jun 2026 · Race 2 · 1710Race 3 - Mdn Claiming18 Jun 2026 · Race 3 · 1408Race 4 - Claiming18 Jun 2026 · Race 4 · 1207Race 5 - Starter Allowance18 Jun 2026 · Race 5 · 1408Race 6 - Mdn Special Weight18 Jun 2026 · Race 6 · 2414Race 7 - Starter Allowance18 Jun 2026 · Race 7 · 1308Race 8 - Allowance Optional Claiming18 Jun 2026 · Race 8 · 1207Race 9 - Claiming18 Jun 2026 · Race 9 · 1609Race 1 - Starter Allowance15 Jun 2026 · Race 1 · 1710Race 2 - Mdn Special Weight15 Jun 2026 · Race 2 · 2414Race 3 - Claiming15 Jun 2026 · Race 3 · 1710Race 4 - Claiming15 Jun 2026 · Race 4 · 1207Race 5 - Mdn Claiming15 Jun 2026 · Race 5 · 1408Race 6 - Mdn Special Weight15 Jun 2026 · Race 6 · 1207Race 7 - Allowance Optional Claiming15 Jun 2026 · Race 7 · 1106Race 8 - Starter Allowance15 Jun 2026 · Race 8 · 1710
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.