Churchill Downs welcomes record crowd for Thurby, prepares for rainy Oaks

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A record crowd showed up to celebrate Thurby at Churchill Downs.

Darren Rogers, spokesperson for Churchill Downs, shared that more than 60,000 people attended Thurby, a 9.5% increase from last year's mark of 54,818.

Now that the track has emptied out of spectators, workers will buzz through the night to prepare for a rainy Oaks.

"Rain or shine we're running," Rogers said. "The only thing would delay racing is a lighting strike within eight miles of the facility and again it's just a delay."

If you are preparing to come to the track for Oaks, leave the umbrella at home. Umbrellas of any size are not allowed in the track, so grab a rain coat or poncho.

"We're just trying to swim our way through," said spectator Chris Unseld jokingly. "Just hope for the best, maybe wear my flip flops, swim trunks, the best I can do."

In addition to clean up, workers will also re-stock bars and concessions, and decorate Churchill Downs in pink for Oaks.

"We'll be dressing the Twin Spires in pink, tons of other decorations around the facility will be adorned in pink," Rogers said.

Gates open up at 9 a.m. for Oaks and Derby Day.

For WDRB's full Kentucky Derby 150 guide, click here.

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