By Rick Howlett
Louisville, KY – Churchill Downs officials say they want to experiment with night racing
during the track's
upcoming spring meet.
Spokesperson John Asher says Churchill will seek approval next week from
the Kentucky
Racing Commission for three evening dates.
(this has never happened before in 135 years at Churchill Downs unless
you count the
Breeder's Cup in 1988, where it was dark for the classic. No, there's
never been an
official night racing session at Churchill Downs. We would bring in
artificial lighting).
The evening dates would include two Fridays, June 19 and 26, and
Thursday, July 2nd, the
night leading into the long Fourth of July holiday weekend. The first
posts would be at
6:00pm.
Asher says other tracks around the country have had success with night
racing, including
Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky.