SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 25, 2000

                          CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
                          -----------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

       Kentucky                           0-1469                 61-0156015
(State or other jurisdiction      (Commission File Number)     (IRS Employer
of incorporation or organization)                            Identification No.)

                    700 Central Avenue, Louisville, KY 40208
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip Code)

                                 (502) 636-4400
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                 NOT APPLICABLE
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


                                       1

CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED I N D E X ITEM 1-4. Not Applicable ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS Copy of press release is set forth in Exhibit 99 to this filing and is incorporated herein by reference ITEM 6. Not Applicable ITEM 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (a) Financial statements of business acquired Not Applicable (b) Pro forma financial information Not Applicable (c) Exhibits - Exhibit 99 Press Release dated October 25, 2000 ITEM 8-9. Not Applicable 2






                                                Contact:  Chantelle Kammerdiener
                                                   (502) 636-4415/(502) 266-8731
                                                          chantellek@kyderby.com


                      CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED REPORTS
                          RECORD THIRD-QUARTER RESULTS

Net revenues  increased 64 percent to $103.5 million.
Net earnings rose 513 percent to $7.3 million.
Earnings per share increased to a new  third-quarter high of 68 cents.

LOUISVILLE,  Ky. (Oct. 25, 2000) -- Churchill Downs Incorporated  (Nasdaq: CHDN)
("CDI") today reported its financial results for the three months ended Sept.30,
2000, which included record third-quarter revenues and net earnings.

         Net revenues for the third quarter were $103.5 million,  an increase of
64 percent  over $63.1  million  reported  for the same  period  last year.  Net
earnings for the quarter were $7.3  million,  up 513 percent from $1.2 million a
year ago.  Diluted  earnings  per share  were 68 cents on 10.7  million  average
diluted  shares  outstanding,  compared  with 12  cents on 9.6  million  average
diluted shares  outstanding  during the third quarter of 1999. CDI also recorded
sharply  higher net revenues  and  earnings for the nine months ended Sept.  30,
2000, and those results are included in the accompanying tables.

         The increases of 12.1 percent and 22.6 percent in the number of average
diluted shares outstanding for the third quarter and nine months,  respectively,
were due to the issuance of 3.15 million  common shares for the  September  2000
merger with Arlington International Racecourse,  now doing business as Arlington
Park.

         Thomas H. Meeker,  CDI's  president and chief executive  officer,  said
that the completion of the Arlington  merger  highlighted the Company's  ongoing
progress  during  the  third  quarter  and  contributed   significantly  to  the
year-to-year gains, especially to the significant increase in net income.

         Meeker noted,  "As expected,  our results during the quarter  benefited
from the income  from the  management  contract  that was in effect  from July 1
through the closing of the merger on Sept.  8. We had  indicated in our mid-year
report that we anticipated a significant  increment to per-share earnings in the
third quarter from this  pre-closing  management  agreement.  We also noted that
this  gain  would be  largely  offset in the  fourth  quarter  as we  assimilate
Arlington into our  operations at a time when the racetrack  would not be racing
and there would be  significantly  more shares  outstanding.  Our  third-quarter


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year-to-year comparisons were also aided by the inclusion of the live racing portion of Arlington's race meet from the closing of the merger through Sept. 30. "Our experience to date with Arlington supports our confidence that this transaction represents another important event in the long-term record of CDI. It is important to note, however, that our results for the third quarter were also aided by strong performances by our other operations. We benefited from a full quarter with Hollywood Park, after being able to only include a few weeks of their operations during the year-earlier quarter due to the timing of the acquisition's completion in September 1999. Churchill Downs' results were impressive beyond the benefit of having the additional week of live racing, which we transferred from Ellis Park. Our Henderson, Ky., track reduced the number of live racing days it offered, including the first week in July that was transferred to Churchill Downs. Ellis Park's total reduction from 61 to 41 days helped the racetrack to increase its purses, improve the quality of its racing and produce a superb on-track performance during its race meet this year. We plan to continue to strengthen all of our racing operations and make rewarding strides in our plans to build the CSDN brand as the premier simulcast product in horse racing." Meeker added, "Although we face a difficult comparison in earnings per share for the fourth quarter, we expect to meet the published consensus estimate for the final period, and we believe our earnings for 2000 as a whole will at least match the $1.72 diluted per share reported for 1999. That achievement will cap a very successful year in which we absorbed the first full year of operations of both Calder Race Course and Hollywood Park, completed the Arlington merger and made substantial investments in the personnel resources that will be vital to our future expansion. We will end 2000 with an annual schedule of live racing programs that is triple what we offered just three years ago, and we are excited about the prospect for continued growth that our momentum offers in 2001. A conference call regarding this release is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 26, at 9 a.m. EDT. Interested parties can access the live call in listen-only mode by calling (719) 457-2604 or using the Internet at www.kentuckyderby.com or www.streetevents.com. A telephone replay will be available for five days beginning at noon on Oct. 26. To access the replay, dial (719) 457-0820, code 404211. Additionally, the call will be archived for a maximum of 30 days on the Web sites listed above. Churchill Downs Incorporated - headquartered in Louisville, Ky. - is one of the world's leading horse racing companies. Its flagship operation, Churchill Downs, is home of the Kentucky Derby and will host the race's 127th running on May 5, 2001. The Company owns additional racetracks in Kentucky, Illinois, California and Florida and has interests in a pari-mutuel operation in Indiana as well as various racing services companies. CDI trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol CHDN and can be found on the Internet at www.kentuckyderby.com. 4

This news release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The reader is cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual operating results and financial condition to differ materially. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include: the financial performance of Arlington International Racecourse; litigation surrounding the Rosemont, Ill., riverboat casino; market reaction to our merger agreement with Arlington; changes in Illinois law that impact revenues of the racing operations in Illinois; the impact of gaming competition (including lotteries and riverboat, cruise ship and land-based casinos) and other sports and entertainment options in those markets in which we operate; a substantial change in law or regulations affecting our pari-mutuel activities; a substantial change in allocation of live racing days; a decrease in riverboat admissions revenue from our Indiana operations; the impact of an additional racetrack near our Indiana operations; our continued ability to effectively compete for the country's top horses and trainers necessary to field high-quality horse racing; our continued ability to grow our share of the interstate simulcast market; the impact of interest rate fluctuations; our ability to execute our acquisition strategy and to complete or successfully operate planned expansion projects; our ability to adequately integrate acquired businesses; the loss of our totalisator companies or their inability to keep their technology current; our accountability for environmental contamination; the loss of key personnel and the volatility of our stock price. 5

CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS for the nine and three months ended September 30, (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data) Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended September 30, September 30, ------------------- ------------------- 2000 1999 2000 1999 ---- ---- ---- ---- Net revenues $261,120 $164,879 $103,536 $63,076 Operating expenses 200,954 129,482 80,282 54,662 --------- --------- --------- -------- Gross profit 60,166 35,397 23,254 8,414 Selling, general and administrative expenses 20,394 11,668 7,430 4,779 --------- --------- --------- -------- Operating income 39,772 23,729 15,824 3,635 --------- --------- --------- -------- Other income (expense): Interest income 774 566 269 204 Interest expense (11,353) (4,162) (3,683) (1,953) Miscellaneous, net (513) 293 (97) 169 --------- --------- --------- -------- (11,092) (3,303) (3,511) (1,580) --------- --------- --------- -------- Earnings before income tax provision 28,680 20,426 12,313 2,055 --------- --------- --------- -------- Federal and state income tax provision (11,802) (8,579) (5,010) (863) --------- --------- --------- -------- Net earnings $ 16,878 $ 11,847 $ 7,303 $ 1,192 ========= ========= ========= ======== Earnings per common share data: Basic $1.67 $1.45 $0.69 $0.13 Diluted $1.66 $1.43 $0.68 $0.12 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 10,121 8,175 10,649 9,455 Diluted 10,176 8,297 10,707 9,552 Certain financial statement amounts have been reclassified in the prior years to conform to current year presentation. 6

CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION BY OPERATING UNIT for the nine and three months ended September 30, (Unaudited) Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended September 30, September 30, ------------------- ------------------- (In thousands) 2000 1999 2000 1999 ---- ---- ---- ---- Net revenues: Churchill Downs $ 73,639 $ 66,653 $ 8,960 $ 5,520 Hollywood Park 75,003 1,117 24,124 1,117 Calder Race Course 42,556 39,053 28,888 27,352 Arlington 9,171 - 9,171 - Hoosier Park 38,090 37,514 13,872 13,256 Ellis Park 14,947 18,491 12,265 15,528 Other investments 11,524 4,378 8,011 1,667 --------- --------- --------- -------- 264,930 167,206 105,291 64,440 Corporate revenues* 651 - 46 - Eliminations (4,461) (2,327) (1,801) (1,364) --------- --------- --------- -------- $261,120 $164,879 $103,536 $63,076 ========= ========= ========= ======== EBITDA: Churchill Downs $ 21,502 $ 18,001 $ (2,361) $(4,013) Hollywood Park 13,380 (542) 3,909 (542) Calder Race Course 7,001 8,865 7,746 6,977 Arlington 2,093 - 2,093 - Hoosier Park 4,939 5,131 1,497 1,744 Ellis Park 1,534 2,834 2,581 3,637 Other investments 7,137 1,115 6,437 454 --------- --------- --------- -------- 57,586 35,404 21,902 8,257 Corporate expenses* (6,129) (3,949) (1,940) (1,404) --------- ---------- --------- -------- $ 51,457 $ 31,455 $ 19,962 $ 6,853 ========= ========= ========= ======== Operating income (loss): Churchill Downs $ 18,721 $ 15,328 $ (3,282) $(4,883) Hollywood Park 10,082 (795) 2,767 (795) Calder Race Course 4,307 7,364 6,834 6,062 Arlington 1,960 - 1,960 - Hoosier Park 3,942 4,183 1,164 1,417 Ellis Park 442 1,842 2,211 3,292 Other investments 6,146 (244) 6,169 (54) --------- --------- --------- -------- 45,600 27,678 17,823 5,039 Corporate expenses* (5,828) (3,949) (1,999) (1,404) --------- --------- --------- -------- $ 39,772 $ 23,729 $ 15,824 $ 3,635 ========= ========= ========= ======= * As a result of a reorganization for internal reporting during 2000, the Company's segment disclosures are presented on a new basis to correspond with internal reporting for corporate revenues and expenses. Corporate revenues and expenses for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999 are reported separately. Certain financial statement amounts have been reclassified in the prior periods to conform to current period presentation. 7

CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (in thousands) September 30, December 31, September 30, ASSETS 2000 1999 1999 ---- ---- ---- Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,359 $ 29,060 $27,936 Restricted cash 9,270 - - Accounts receivable 35,096 24,279 14,812 Other current assets 4,627 2,751 3,110 --------- --------- --------- Total current assets 60,352 56,090 45,858 Other assets 7,390 4,740 6,167 Plant and equipment, net 339,593 274,882 275,631 Intangible assets, net 64,346 62,334 61,899 --------- --------- --------- $471,681 $398,046 $389,555 ========= ========= ========= LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 34,572 $ 14,794 $ 19,616 Accrued expenses 38,025 23,821 18,102 Dividends payable - 4,927 - Income taxes payable 1,774 336 1,529 Deferred revenue 5,386 10,860 3,094 Long-term debt, current portion 2,277 552 465 --------- -------- --------- Total current liabilities 82,034 55,290 42,806 Long-term debt 157,183 180,898 186,104 Other liabilities 10,299 8,263 4,836 Deferred income taxes 15,565 15,474 15,938 Commitments and contingencies - - - Shareholders' equity: Preferred stock, no par value; 250 shares authorized; no shares issued - - - Common stock, no par value; 50,000 shares authorized; issued: 13,015 shares September 30, 2000, and 9,854 shares December 31, 1999 and September 30, 1999 123,149 71,634 71,634 Retained earnings 83,545 66,667 68,446 Deferred compensation costs (29) (115) (144) Note receivable for common stock (65) (65) (65) --------- --------- --------- 206,600 138,121 139,871 --------- ---------- --------- $471,681 $398,046 $389,555 ========= ========= ========= Certain financial statement amounts have been reclassified in the prior years to conform to current year presentation. 8

SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED October 25, 2000 /s/Robert L. Decker ----------------------------------- Robert L. Decker Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) October 25, 2000 /s/Michael E. Miller ----------------------------------- Michael E. Miller Senior Vice President, Finance (Principal Accounting Officer) 9