Louisville businesses, residents voice concerns over Kentucky Oaks moving to primetime

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Kentucky Oaks will now run under the lights, but not everyone is celebrating the shift to primetime.

Some local businesses and neighbors believe the new spotlight comes at a cost. For the first time in history, the Kentucky Oaks will have a post time around 8 p.m.

Churchill Downs said it’s a move aimed at growing the national audience.

"It is the premier race for 3-year-old fillies across the country, and many people in America don't know that exists," said Tonya Abeln, the Churchill Downs vice president of corporate communications.

But on the ground in Louisville, not everyone’s convinced it’s a win.

"It was devastating — devastating — because it's taken the busiest day of the year, and now it'll just be like another Tuesday," Bourbons Bistro co-founder Jason Brauner said.

Brauner said Derby week is make-or-break for local restaurants and fears the late-night crowds might skip dinner or skip downtown altogether.

"So, are people going to eat dinner at 10 o'clock and then not go to the Derby the next day? Very doubtful," he said.

And it’s not just dining dollars on the line.

"Are the celebrities — are they going to choose the track, or are they going to choose the charity balls? I don't know, but I tend to think that it's gonna hurt. These are the biggest charities of the year making this money, and they're gonna suffer," Brauner said.

Just a few blocks away from the track, longtime neighbors like Ken Riddle said it won't be just the guests staying out late — it's the workers, too.

"Being this close, we get a few workers, and they don't get off till everybody's gone a lot of times," Riddle said. "So, it could be 10 or 11 o'clock for some of them."

Meanwhile, there are some who plan to embrace the change.

In a statement, Steve Wilson — founder of 21c Museum Hotels and host of one of Derby’s most exclusive parties — said:

“Most people don’t like change. I think fear of the unknown leads to resistance. So no doubt owners and managers of restaurants, like ours — Proof on Main and Barn8 at Hermitage Farm — are facing what they view as disruption of business as usual. But I’m sure Bill Carstanjen and his team at Churchill Downs have given this careful consideration. If we can get better and broader exposure of the Kentucky Oaks to the country and the world, it will be better for everybody. I like a challenge! I like our parties to always be different. People know to expect surprises when they come to my parties, so this just gives us a new opportunity. We’ll start our celebration a couple of hours later, and we’ll cram in more fun!”

This change could mean more money and more eyes on the race for Churchill Downs — but also more traffic, noise and later nights for nearby neighbors.

The 152nd running of the Kentucky Oaks is Friday, May 1, 2026. Gates will now open at 11 a.m., with the first post time at 12:30 p.m.

Kentucky Oaks race being pushed later for first network primetime broadcast