Churchill And Thornton's Unveil Pricing For Derby And Oaks Infield Stores

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LOUISVILLE, KY (April 16, 2002) - Churchill Downs and Thornton Oil Corporation have released a long list of products that will be available for purchase at two "Thorntons Quick Café and Market" facilities that will be open for the first time in the Churchill Downs Infield for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

The list of dozens of products includes items such as deli sandwiches, fruit, picnic supplies, coolers, ice, candy, over-the-counter medical supplies, ponchos, disposable cameras and cigars. The prices for all of the items are within pennies of the retail prices for the same items at Thorntons stores located outside of Churchill Downs.

The creation of the first-ever "Thorntons Quick Café and Market" Infield stores is an important customer service and hospitality initiative for the 2002 Kentucky Derby weekend and marks the first major partnership between Churchill Downs and the Louisville, Ky.-based Thornton Oil Corporation. The Infield stores were developed to help Derby and Oaks Day fans deal with new restrictions on items that may be carried into the track on those days. Enhanced security measures for Kentucky Derby and Oaks Days recently announced by Churchill Downs and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners prohibit such Infield staples as coolers and bottles (plastic or glass) from being carried in to the track, and the Infield stores were developed to offer those items and many more at affordable, market prices.

"As soon as the security procedures for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks were established, our focus turned to enhancing customer service and hospitality on those days and Thorntons immediately and enthusiastically stepped up to the plate," said Alex Waldrop, Churchill Downs president. "We are extremely pleased to be working with Thorntons and we believe our Derby and Oaks fans will be impressed by the broad range of products and very affordable prices at the two 'Thorntons Quick Café and Market' locations in the Churchill Downs Infield. We also appreciate the effort and cooperation by Levy Restaurants, our food service provider, who worked hard to make Thorntons' participation in this Derby and Oaks a reality."

"The Kentucky Derby and Oaks rank among the world's great sports events and Thorntons is very happy to be a partner with Churchill Downs in the presentation of these great days of racing," said Michael Rodgers, Thorntons vice president of Sales & Marketing. "We have worked hard to design a pair of Infield markets that will offer quality service, great selection and attractive prices to Oaks and Derby fans. Thorntons is bringing the best people from throughout our organization to work in our markets and we are excited about the prospect of helping to make this a memorable Derby weekend for racing fans from around the world."

The "Thorntons Quick Café & Market" facilities will be housed in large tents in the Churchill Downs Infield on Friday, May 3 (Kentucky Oaks Day) and Saturday, May 4 (Kentucky Derby Day). One market will operate in a 30'x 120' tent located at the rear of the bleachers near the Infield pagoda and the second will utilize another 30'x 120' tent placed near the track's first, or "Clubhouse," turn.

Churchill Downs, the world's most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America's greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) also operates Trackside Louisville, an off-track betting facility. Churchill Downs will conduct the 128th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2002. The track has served as host to the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships a record five times. The 2002 Spring Meet at Churchill Downs is scheduled for April 27 through July 7.