Get Out Your Platform Shoes!

[fasteddy]

Ran across this article over at a Louisville radio station site talking about a promotion that Churchill Downs is doing on Friday night. The management at tracks around the country needs to start thinking outside the box and come up with more fresh ideas like this one right here.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB Fox 41) -- It was a huge success last year, even though there were a few problems out of the gate. This year it begins again. Tomorrow night is Disco Night at Churchill Downs.

"On Friday night, it's the first of the final four Downs after Dark spring meets, and we'll do two more in the fall for a total of six," says Churchill Downs communications director Darren Rogers.

The disco ball and the vinyl records were standing by in storage to be brought out for Friday's festivities.

"We're trying to keep it fresh and exciting. We've themed each of the events," adds Rogers. "The first one is Disco at the Downs. We are encouraging people to come dressed in 1970's garb."

Last year on the first evening of night racing, there were not enough concession stands, causing some long lines for racing fans.

The Downs says that won't be a problem this year.

"We had about six or seven temporary concession stands set up in the paddock area. We have almost doubled that number this year," explains Rogers.

Horse racing across the country is struggling to keep the fans in the stands. There are only so many dollars for people to spend on entertainment. The hope is that night racing will attract new patrons to the sport.

"I think it's good for racing. I think a lot of younger people are going to come and that's what the sport needs: we need to pass this tradition on to younger people," says racing fan David Goldblatt from Evansville, Ind. who was at the track for the Thursday day racing schedule.

Helen Gibson of Jeffersonville, Ind. was also at the track Thursday afternoon saying,"It will get more people out here, people go out more in the evening instead of the day when they have to work."

Last year's experiment with night racing on three nights was so successful that Churchill Downs decided to invest $4 million in permanent lighting.

Last summer on the final night of racing more than 33,000 fans showed up. That's the largest crowd for the track other than the Derby, Oaks and Breeders' Cup.

"The key for us is to keep Downs after Dark as a special and unique event," says Rogers.