Behind-the-scenes look at Churchill Downs' last minute preps for Kentucky Derby 150

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- With the Kentucky Derby just days away, it will be down the wire when it comes to making sure the track and new paddock are good to go for the world to see.

Monday was a "dark day" at the track with no major events or races taking place. But behind the scenes was very much the opposite with flurry of activity from mowing lawns, to unloading drinks, to fixing the sound system.

"It's a special event, we all want it to be as perfect as we can, so we try to get those finishing touches done at the last minute," said Jeff Palmquist, Project manager for Calhoun Construction - the company contracted for the $200 million paddock project.

Saturday was Opening Day for the Spring Meet, and he looked at it as a sort of dress rehearsal before showtime on Thurby, Oaks, and of course, Derby itself.

"We kind of get to see what works, what doesn't. We take notes. We have guys here that night that are making changes while we are here," Palmquist explained.

One last minute change was a railing that was moved to make it easier for people to flow in and out of the paddock. Other changes are based on what they noticed on Opening Night.

"If we see things like a bathroom line that is too long or people can't find the bathroom, then we need to make those restroom signs bigger. There is a lot of that that happens after the fact," Palmquist said.

Wylie Caudill is the Derby’s official artist. He was on a ladder with a paint brush in hand Monday working to finish a mural at the track.

"It's planned out just well enough that I should finish Wednesday night -- just in time for Thurby, but yeah, the pressure is on," Caudill said.

He has been focused on painting murals at Churchill Downs staying until 3 a.m. Even at that hour, Caudill said he's still surrounded by workers who are fixing lights and cleaning.

"It's both crunch time, but I also will not sacrifice my art work. I will just exchange sleep for it," he said.

Inside the new Club SI, workers were busy polishing silverware and getting a feel of what the run up to Derby will bring.

Palmquist said it has been an experience to watch things come together and get their bearings and using all the areas his company built.

"You have a lot of new staff here that hasn't been here for a year and a half while we've been doing this, so they are just trying to figure out which way is north," he said. "At some point you have to say 'we're done. Let's go. Open the gates.'"

Derby week begins with Tuesday's 502’s day, the new day appointed for locals at the track. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. The first race is at 12:45 p.m. General admission $5.

Parking is available with shuttles beginning at 10 a.m. at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Drop-off is at the black lot in front of the Paddock gate.
There is no offsite taxi or rideshare pick-up and drop-off on this day.
All taxi or rideshare pick-up and drop-off will happen onsite at Kentucky Derby Drive between Queen and Thornberry.
There is no parking at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium on this day.

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