LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Thurby may be fun, but 502 Tuesday is the new day for locals for Derby week. 

While construction crews at working hard at Churchill Downs, the horse racing track is planning for the 149th Kentucky Derby with a special nod to locals this year.

In a release, Churchill Downs announced plans for the start of the Spring Meet that includes 502's Day, which promises $5 admission and a day "dedicated to the 502 with the best of Louisville on full display."

The local day at the track used to be Kentucky Oaks, but the crowd has grown to more than 100,000 people in recent years. Thurby started 10 years ago, but it now has attendance of upward of 50,000.

502's Day is intended to be a celebration of all things Louisville with particular themed events planning to be announced at a later date. Darren Rogers, spokesman for Churchill Downs, said the racetrack is excited to bring back a special day for Louisville.

"You have the Derby horses schooling in the paddock," Rogers said. "People like to reunite and congregate and just celebrate the festivities in some way, shape or form and this is our way to have people  come out and do it as a reasonable price."

Champions Day on Wednesday will be dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's Triple Crown run. 

Tickets for Kentucky Derby Week and the 44-day Spring Meet at Churchill Downs are set to go on sale at noon on Thursday, Feb. 2.

The spring meet spans for nine weeks from April 29 to July 3.

IMAGES | Fans fill Churchill Downs for 148th Kentucky Derby

Churchill Downs will host several special events during Kentucky Derby Week, including:

  • Opening Night - Saturday, April 29 - Races are held during the evening with horses running under the lights
  • Dawn at the Downs - Sunday, April 30 and Monday, May 1 - Guests can watch horses train while eating a buffet breakfast in the Stakes Room or Millionaires Row
  • 502's Day - Tuesday, May 2 - General admission is just $5 and the "day is dedicated to the 502 with the best of Louisville on full display"
  • Champions Day: Secretariat's 50th Anniversary Celebration - Wednesday, May 3 - Commemorating Secretariat's Triple Crown with a limited edition print giveaway, select premium dining tickets are available
  • Thurby - Thursday, May 4 - Live music near the Paddock, premium dining tickets are available for the 10th edition of Thurby.
  • Taste of Derby - Thursday, May 4 - A culinary experience with nationally-renowned chefs at the Kentucky International Convention Center

Tickets to those special events are available here.

After Derby week, the Spring Meet continues through July. Twilight Thursdays featuring $2 beer, live music and food trucks take place every Thursday from May 11 to June 29. Downs After Dark is being held Saturday, June 17.

Kentucky Derby 149 is set for May 6, 2023. To purchase your tickets, click here.

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