LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 04, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The fifth-highest crowd of 113,510 fans watched Monomoy Girl capture the 144th running of the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) at Churchill Downs Racetrack. This follows a record-breaking Thursday (“Thurby”) crowd of 48,134.

Wagering from all-sources was the highest all-time on both the Kentucky Oaks program and on the Kentucky Oaks race.

Wagering from all-sources on the full Kentucky Oaks Day race card totaled $55.8 million, a 14% increase over both the 2017 total of $48.9 million and the previous wagering record of $49.0 million set in 2016. All-sources wagering on the Kentucky Oaks race rose 18% to $17.5 million from 2017’s total of $14.9 million and increased 16% over the previous Oaks race record of $15.2 million in 2015.

On-track wagering on the Kentucky Oaks Day race card increased 17% to $10.9 million compared to 2017’s total of $9.3 million. On-track wagering on the Kentucky Oaks race of $3.0 million increased 26% compared to 2017’s total of $2.4 million.

TRACK PRESIDENT COMMENTARY

“Congratulations to the connections of Monomoy Girl and special thanks to all of the horse owners, trainers and jockeys who participated in today’s races,” said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “Today’s record handle shows that the Kentucky Oaks has established itself as one of the world’s most popular events.”

“We continue to make improvements to our historic racetrack that enhance the guest experience. Our guests benefitted from our investment in improved parking and transportation options which greatly enhanced the flow of fans entering and exiting our facility today. Our new Starting Gates Suites received rave reviews and provided our guests a memorable experience. We look forward to tomorrow for what we know will be a memorable 144th running of the Kentucky Derby,” Flanery said.

CHARITABLE

Churchill Downs held its 10th annual “Pink Out” in partnership with Derby Divas and in support of Norton Cancer Institute - during the celebration of the 144th running of the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks. 

The Churchill Downs Incorporated Foundation donated $50,000 and helped raise an additional $16,866 through on-line donations to benefit the Breast Health Program at Norton Cancer Institute, a local non-profit, focused on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women.

Churchill Downs also donated $1 from each Friday sale of the Finlandia Oaks Lily®, the official drink of the Kentucky Oaks, to Derby Divas, a group of dedicated volunteers who have partnered with Norton Healthcare to raise funds to make sure underserved women have access to mammograms and other key services to help prevent, detect and treat breast cancer.

The Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade Presented by Kroger celebrated 144 cancer survivors who marched down Churchill Downs’ historic homestretch prior to the running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks to help raise national awareness of breast and ovarian health and honor survivors. 

OAKS WINNER

Monomoy Girl, owned by Michael Dubb, Sol Kumin’s Monomoy Stables, LLC, Stuart Grant’s The Elkstone Group, LLC and Michael Caruso’s Bethlehem Stables and bred in Kentucky by FPF, LLC and Highfield Ranch, battled deep in the stretch to hold off Wonder Gadot to win the Longines Kentucky Oaks by 1/2 length at odds of 5-2. Both Jockey Florent Geroux and trainer Brad Cox, a Louisville native who grew up in the shadow of the iconic Twin Spires, won the race for the first time. The daughter of Tapizar out of the Henny Hughes mare Drumette was the first Longines Kentucky Oaks winner owned by the partners. She now has a lifetime record of six wins and a second in seven starts and increased her lifetime earnings to $1,156,550 and returned $7.20 for a $2 win wager.

About Churchill Downs Racetrack

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 offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. The track’s 2018 Spring Meet is scheduled for April 28 – June 30. Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships eight times and will host the event for a ninth time in 2018 tying Churchill Downs with Santa Anita Park in California for the most ever held at one venue. Information about Churchill Downs can be found online at www.churchilldowns.com.

About Churchill Downs Incorporated

Churchill Downs Incorporated ("CDI") (Nasdaq:CHDN), headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is an industry-leading racing, gaming and online entertainment company anchored by our iconic flagship event - The Kentucky Derby. We are a leader in brick-and-mortar casino gaming with approximately 10,000 gaming positions in eight states, and we are the largest legal online account wagering platform for horseracing in the U.S., through our ownership of TwinSpires.com. Additional information about CDI can be found online at www.churchilldownsincorporated.com.

Contact: Nick Zangari
(502) 394-1157
Nick.Zangari@kyderby.com

Source: Churchill Downs Incorporated