“Thurby” Celebrates Kentucky Bourbon, Culture And Racing For Fifth Year

May 01, 2018

Features Live Music, Kentucky Food & Drink and a 2018 Derby Box Giveaway 
LOUISVILLE, KY (Tuesday, May 1, 2018) – The fifth annual Thurby presented by Old Forester® will kick off Derby weekend on Thursday with its annual celebration of Kentucky and the local community. The increasingly popular day of live racing will feature Kentucky music, history, food & drink and a 2018 Derby box Giveaway. Gates open for 11 races on Thursday, May 3 at 11:00 a.m. with the first post at 12:45 p.m. EDT. Thurby will also be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tickets start at $20 and are available at www.kentuckyderbyweek.com.
Guests can revel in all things Kentucky and enjoy the following 2018 Thurby highlights throughout the day:
  • Sip this year’s signature Thurby cocktail, the Old Forester Old Fashioned
  • Dance to local and regional bands performing on the Plaza stage, including Ben Sollee, Kentucky Native, James Lindsey, Scott Smith and Amythyst Kiah
  • Enjoy a Kentucky Legends variety show hosted by local musician Ben Sollee on the Plaza stage that includes interviews with the cultural leaders that make Louisville unique
    • Old Forester’s Master Bourbon Specialist Jackie Zykan
    • Churchill Downs Executive Chef and Author of The Bourbon Country Cookbook: New Southern Entertaining
  • Enjoy Kentucky inspired fare throughout the track
  • A 2018 Oaks and Derby box giveaway in the Thurby Classic Sweepstakes
About the Derby Box Giveaway

Thurby will continue the tradition of giving away a 2018 Oaks and Derby box for 6 people to one lucky guest in the Thurby Classic Sweepstakes, which takes place before race 10. Onsite guests will be invited to enter the contest via text until race nine. Prior to race 10, as many names as there are horses running in race 10 will be randomly drawn from the pool of entrants. Each name drawn will be paired with a single horse running in the race. The person who is paired with race 10’s winning horse will receive a free six-person box to this year’s Oaks and Derby.

Recommended attire for non-dining areas is whatever reflects your Kentucky spirit – from casual to Derby-inspired.

About Churchill Downs Racetrack

Churchill Downs Racetrack, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has raced Thoroughbreds and presented the Kentucky Derby continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) offers year-round simulcast wagering. Churchill Downs will conduct the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 5, 2018. The track has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships eight times and is scheduled to host again in 2018. www.churchilldowns.com

  • Ticket Info

    Sign up for race updates and more

FOLLOW FOR UPDATES AND EXCLUSIVES