1997

World History

Princess Diana and Mother Theresa die within one week’s time.

Ted Turner pledges $1-Billion to U.N. good-works program.

El Nino become meteorologist’s favorite weather topic.

Churchill Downs History

An aggressive marketing campaign was initiated which included: admission prices lowered to $2.00 for both grandstand/clubhouse, the lowest fee since 1969; a focus on attracting families, featuring track mascot, Churchill Charlie; and lower food pricing.

The former paddock, used from the mid-1920’s to 1986, was renovated for $1 million into a wholecard wagering facility.

For the first time in history, the infield was opened Thursday of Derby Week, with a record of 19,863.

Oaks Day attendance rose to a record 92,547.

Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm trained the entire Triple Crown campaign at Churchill, highlighted by a public workout attended by nearly 2,500 on Tues., June 3. Silver Charm was later honored in a public appearance during the races on June 21.

Track announcer Kurt Becker called his first race at Churchill on April 26.

Trainer Patrick Byrne established a Downs record for most consecutive races won with a string of eight.

Favorite Trick, trained by Byrne, became the first horse to sweep the Spring Juvenile Stakes and was later named Juvenile champion and Horse of the Year.

Nearly 17,000 fans attended the renewal of Steeplechase Racing on closing day, June 29.

On Sept. 4 it is announced that Churchill would host the 1998 Breeders’ Cup, the first four-time site.

Forbes Magazine announced the Company as one of the top 200 small companies in America.

Sports Spectrum offered it’s first international races from Australia, Dec. 4.