Churchill Downs, located on Central Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky, is a thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs has also hosted the renowned Breeders' Cup on five occasions.
Today, Churchill Downs covers 147 acres. Seating capacity is 48,500, though crowds at the Derby can reach over 140,000 because of standing-room only admission to the paddock and infield. The dirt oval main track, on which the Derby is run, is one mile in circumference and is 79 to 80 feet wide, with a 120-foot wide section for the starting gate. A turf track, inside the main track, is 7/8 of a mile and 80 feet wide.
In addition to the track, clubhouse and stables, Churchill Downs also contains the Kentucky Derby Museum which focuses on the history of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs. The museum also contains a number of exhibits exploring the training and racing of thoroughbred horses. It includes a 360 degree cinema that shows the short film "The Greatest Race," a documentary about the Kentucky Derby. The museum is open year-round.
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