Churchill ‘blind spot' getting clearer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Horseplayers couldn’t help but notice the massive mound of dirt that obscured their view of racing action this week at Churchill, where a $10 million renovation of the seven-furlong turf course is ongoing.

As horses make their way into the far turn, just past the half-mile pole, the view is interrupted for several seconds by the mound, which is actually a combination of soil, sand, and various minerals being laid as the new turf-course subsurface.

“You should’ve seen how tall it was before they started laying it on the track,” said Greg Bush, vice president of operations at Churchill. “Nobody would’ve been able to see that part of the track – not the stewards, announcer, or placing judges.”

But as work progressed in recent weeks, the mound has become manageable to the extent that race-caller Travis Stone – whose booth is high up on the seventh floor on the finish line – said between races during the Thursday opening card that he is able to see an entire race. Same for the stewards, who are situated nearby. Head-on, unblocked camera angles also are available in case of an inquiry or objection in that location around the three-eighths pole.

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Bush said work on the project will resume Monday through Wednesday, and part of Thursday prior to the twilight program, to further reduce the pile. “They’re working 12-hour days, trying to get it all down,” he said. “Hopefully toward the end of this meet it won’t be a factor.”

Seeding of the turf course will begin after the subsurface is in place, which is expected to be early October. Churchill is projecting the first day of racing on the course to be April 30, 2022, opening day of the next spring meet.