LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 24, 2004) - Churchill Downs, after consulting with its partners in local, state and federal law enforcement and government agencies, has announced that the enhanced hospitality and security procedures adopted for the past two runnings of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks will again be in place for the 2004 renewals of the historic track's marquee races.

The security procedures for the April 30 Oaks and the May 1 Derby will include magnetic wand searches of all persons entering the track's grandstand, clubhouse and infield; limits on the types of items that patrons may carry into the track; and high visibility of uniformed security personnel in all areas of the track.

The track's enhanced hospitality and guest service efforts for its biggest race days will again include a "general store" facility in the infield that will offer food, drink, coolers and other items that may not be brought into the track. This year's store will be centrally located in the infield and will be operated by Levy Restaurants, the exclusive food service provider for Churchill Downs. The infield store will again offer its products for purchase at prices comparable to those offered at stores outside of the track's admission gates.

Churchill Downs will again station customer service and hospitality representatives at locations throughout the track to deal with questions and concerns voiced by patrons on Kentucky Derby and Oaks Days.

"Our hospitality and security procedures and policies for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks have worked well over the past two years and, on the recommendation of our law enforcement partners, we have decided to continue those procedures for another year," said Steve Sexton, president of Churchill Downs. "Based on the recommendations and study by these law enforcement and safety professionals, we believe that continuing those policies is the right thing to do. Our hospitality and safety measures have been well received and accepted by our fans over the past two years, and in many cases patrons have told us that their Derby and Oaks experiences have actually been enhanced by these policies."

Last year's Kentucky Derby attracted a crowd of 148,530, the fifth largest in Derby history and a number that was up from the 2002 attendance total of 145,033. Attendance at the 2003 Kentucky Oaks totaled 100,523, down slightly from the 101,932 recorded a year earlier but still the fifth largest crowd in the 129-year history of the race.

Security procedures established for the 130th Kentucky Derby and Oaks include: