Churchill Downs seeks ‘unprecedented visibility’ for primetime Kentucky Oaks

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 2:17 PM
Image aggregated from Louisville Courier Journal.
  • Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal

Churchill Downs is betting on a later Kentucky Oaks race, in primetime, will be a growth driver for the Louisville-based gaming and racing company.

The primetime move for this year’s Kentucky Oaks race on May 1 was a multi-faceted business decision for Churchill Downs Inc., which is always seeking to grow it prized asset, the Kentucky Derby, said Gary Palmisano, vice president of racing.

“Moving the Oaks to primetime allows us to bring one of racing’s most significant races to a broader national audience, with unprecedented visibility and opportunity for fans, bettors, our community and partners alike,” Palmisano said.