502'sDay brings the locals out to Churchill Downs to kick off Kentucky Derby week

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Bridget Case and her husband, James, usually go to the races at Churchill Downs later in Kentucky Derby Week. But now, with a day dedicated to the locals — all at a discount — she couldn't pass it up.

"We actually thought it wouldn't be that crowded, but it is," Case said Tuesday at Churchill Downs. "We were interested in seeing the new paddock area. That is the main reason. ... It's beautiful."

Thousands of people loaded on and off of shuttles and arrived to the track ready for a day of racing. Admission was just $5 on 502'sDay, the first of five marquee days of racing on Kentucky Derby Week.

Devin Davis joined her co-workers for a day away from the office.

"It's for the locals," Davis said. "... and if you look around, I bet that is what you get — a lot of locals."

502'sDay returned Tuesday for its second year, keeping the spotlight on the community. The special focus in 2024 was on the contributions of Louisville businesses helps commemorate the 150th Kentucky Derby.

The usual hats, dresses, suits and colors of Kentucky Derby week were all on full display, all of it with a hometown feel and available to everyone.

"I like that there is a little bit fewer and smaller crowd," one woman said. "It seems a little bit more intimate and a relaxed setting."

The whole day had a local feel, right down to the names of the races:

Village 8 Theaters (Race 1)
The Hasenour’s (Race 2)
The Bacon’s Department Store (Race 3)
The Burger Queen (Race 4)
The Red Barn (Race 5)
The Lentini’s Ristorante (Race 6)
The ear X-Tacy (Race 7)
The Toy Tiger (Race 8)
The Jim Porter’s Good Times Emporium (Race 9)

"I think it is fantastic," James Case said. "It spreads the one famous Derby day throughout the whole Derby week. I think they have a good philosophy of what they are doing. It's great."