"We appreciate the tremendous interest customers have in purchasing reserved seats to America's premier horse races, the Kentucky Derby and Oaks," said Steve Sexton, president of Churchill Downs racetrack. "To better serve our customers, we want to make the ticket application process as easy as possible, and we are pleased to offer a new, convenient method to apply for reserved seats."
To apply for reserved seats online, customers will be asked to join the Twin Spires Club, Churchill Downs' customer-rewards program. The Twin Spires Club is free to join, and members are eligible for points, prizes and privileges, including exclusive member giveaways and contests.
"The Twin Spires Club has become incredibly popular with our guests and provides us with a means to reward our most loyal customers for their continued patronage," added Sexton. "Moving forward, our goal is to reward those customers who support Churchill Downs' racing programs, products and services on a continual basis with the opportunity to purchase reserved seats for the 'Run for the Roses.' Through the Twin Spires Club, we can become better acquainted with our customers and gauge their support of Churchill Downs racing throughout the year."
While Twin Spires Club membership does not guarantee patrons the chance to purchase reserved seats, customers' level of activity with the Club will provide them preference when Churchill Downs determines which applicants will be invited to purchase reserved seats to Oaks/Derby 131, scheduled for May 6 and 7, 2005.
All ticket applications must be received by Sept. 1, 2004. Applications received after Sept. 1 will not be considered for reserved seats to the 2005 Derby and Oaks. All applicants will be contacted by e-mail by the end of October 2004 to let them know whether they will be invited to purchase reserved seats. The majority of seats available to the public are located in the Churchill Downs grandstand.
General admission tickets to the 2005 Oaks/Derby will be still available for sale at Churchill Downs on race day. Customers interested in purchasing general admission tickets, which do not include a view of the racetrack itself, do not need to submit an online ticket application form.
