Kentucky Derby 136 Prime Time 8pm Saturday Night

[Secretariat]

Churchill Downs, installs lights,  

opening a new era in horse racing history..

by installing lights, they allow for the longest continuously run sporting event in American history, the Kentucky Derby (presented by yummy but too costly brands), to now be run during  Prime time television.  more than any super bowl.. this could be the most watched TV event ever !!  




"We found our racing fans loved the experience and Churchill Downs is trying new ideas to bring different types of fans to our iconic track, home of the Kentucky Derby," said Kevin Flanery, Churchill Downs’ track president.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/52722/churchill-downs-to-install-permanent-lights

[NIATROSS]

While I won't say it is not possible I don't think that is the reasoning behind the lights installation.

The Derby is now being run about an hr later then it was yrs ago.The track is packed and wagering has been setting records every year.More and more people are watching and wagering on line or at an OTB / TRACK nearby.The Super Bowl will still outdraw it in terms of viewers.

If anything IMO one reason might be to have it run at night so it can attract more wagering from Overseas markets.

[Secretariat]

ahhhh...

 we can't go to the moon.. its not possible...its never been done...

if there is one sporting event you could put in prime time and have the possibility of drawing the biggest audience on tv ever... this is it...

yah , ahhh... but its not possible...duh.. its never been done before...



*sigh*  oookay...

[Secretariat]

its a great idea - golden.. its ***ing golden, like having a senate seat to sell..gold..*** gold

[Stat Man Steve]

Lights at CD, great idea.  But I doubt they'd move the KY Derby to the evening, think we've had a thread on this before - terrible idea - due to the nature of it being a betting-driven sport, overseas money from Europe would be drastically reduced (8pm ET = maybe 2am-3am in England, maybe 7am in Austrailia, Hong Kong & Japan)  Adding over 100,000 people (many very drunk) to a not-correspoindingly-lighted neighborhood in peoples yards for about 3/4 of a mile or more.  Hotel & restaurant/bar industry concerns over retaining customers and business - this is their biggest money maker for most Louisville buisinesses by far - no, I doubt they'd do it, and hope for the sake of many, they won't change it. 

[Earl Sande]

They'd better get a casino there or CD won't be able to afford the electric bill.

[big wally]

This will never Happen