IMAGES | Brand new $200 million paddock project taking shape at Churchill Downs ahead of Kentucky Derby 150

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A little more than 100 days before the much-anticipated 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, crews worked down below and up above Monday in the $200 million project to transform the paddock at Churchill Downs.

Just two years ago, the paddock was 5,000 square feet, a similar layout to what it'd been just inside the main gates for decades. Soon, it will be more than 12,000 square feet, a massive project that'll be debuted ahead of a historic Derby week.

Churchill Downs Paddock Construction — Soon, the paddock at Churchill Downs will be more than 12,000 square feet, a massive project that'll be debuted ahead of a historic Derby week. Jan. 22, 2024. *(WDRB Photo)*

"It's really coming together," Darren Rogers, a spokesman for Churchill Downs, said Monday. "About 98% of the concrete has been poured."

The work to develop the state-of-the-art paddock began well before Kentucky Derby 149, where a temporary paddock took its place. Following Derby 149, that paddock was removed and relocated to the first turn as work began.

So far, the support backings for the four new giant LED screens are in place. And the new Woodford Reserve Club being built underground is now glassed-in and nearly completed.

"It is going to be transformative. It is really impressive," Rogers said. "The size and the scope of this paddock area — I think the fans are going to love it."

Brick by brick, Churchill Downs is no stranger to construction, having invested nearly $1 billion in capital improvements over the last 15 years. From above, you can see stalls now in place in the shadow of the Twin Spires while soon-to-be observation desks look down on where those famed horses will be paraded out on their way to the track.

The construction timeline also on track. Following the end of the fall meet, crews began to reconfigure the Champions Plaza outside the gates and begin a $14 million project to redesign the Jockey Suites.

The paddock area is expected to be complete by Opening Day, which is April 27.

"We are marching closer and closer to Kentucky Derby 150, and the project is full speed ahead," Rogers said. "For it to come to fruition and we see these final steps, it's truly very exciting."

The track said popular week-of races like 502sday, Champions Day and Thurby will return along with the 150th running of the Kentucky Oaks and Derby. Tickets are on sale now for Kentucky Oaks and Derby. Click here to see pricing.

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