LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 4, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq:CHDN) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Harlow's Casino Resort & Hotel ("Harlow's") in Greenville, Miss., would temporarily close to the public effective Friday,May 6, at 10 p.m. CDT, due to concerns over rising water levels and flooding along the Mississippi River.

The Board of Mississippi Levee Commissioners has declared a state of emergency due to expected flooding along the Mississippi River basin and has directed Harlow's and a number of other casinos near the river to close for business until further notice. Harlow's will reopen as soon as authorized to do so by Mississippi state officials.

Harlow's Casino Resort & Hotel, located on approximately 69 acres of leased land near the Mississippi River in Greenville, Miss., features a 33,000-square foot gaming floor with 841 Class III slot machines, 23 table games and a poker room; a five-story, 105-room attached hotel; a 2,600-seat entertainment center; and three separate dining areas. The property, which opened in November 2007, sits at the base of a new $336 million U.S. Highway 82 Bridge that connects Harlow's to customers in the neighboring state of Arkansas. Additional information about Harlow's can be found at www.harlowscasino.com.

Churchill Downs Incorporated ("CDI") (Nasdaq:CHDN), headquartered in Louisville, Ky., owns and operates four world-renowned Thoroughbred racing facilities: Arlington Park in Illinois, Calder Casino & Race Course in Florida, Churchill Downs Racetrack in Kentucky and Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in Louisiana. CDI operates Harlow's Casino Resort & Hotel in Greenville, Miss., as well as slot and gaming operations in Florida and Louisiana. CDI tracks are host to North America's most prestigious races, including the Arlington Million, the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, the Louisiana Derby and the Princess Rooney. Churchill Downs Racetrack will host the Breeders' Cup World Championships for a record eighth time Nov. 4-5, 2011. CDI also owns off-track betting facilities; TwinSpires.com and other advance-deposit wagering providers; United Tote; television production, telecommunications and racing service companies such as Bloodstock Research Information Services; and a 50-percent interest in the national cable and satellite network, HorseRacing TV. Information about CDI can be found online at www.churchilldownsincorporated.com.

CONTACT: Julie Koenig Loignon

         Churchill Downs Incorporated

         (502) 636-4502 (office)

         Julie.Koenig@kyderby.com