The Paddock at Churchill Downs is under renovation. What it means for this year's Derby

Walking into Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby 149 will be a very different experience than in years past.

One of the most iconic locations at the famed racetrack, the paddock, is undergoing a $200 million, multi-year renovation.

This year's Kentucky Derby falls in the middle of that construction timeline.

With the 149th Run for the Roses just weeks away on May 6, the active construction site has had to pivot to a temporary set-up for the big week of racing.

Here's what to expect if you're headed to the track this year.

What is happening to the Churchill Downs paddock?

The paddock, where horses are paraded and readied for their race and spectators can size up the contenders, is part way through a $200 million renovation, or rather, a complete re-envisioning.

The old open-air paddock, with its line of stables, oblong oval walking ring and grassy center, was built in 1988 and has now been demolished.

In its place will rise a multi-level paddock experience located closer to and between the famed twin spires.

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The center grassed space will more than double in size, lengthening the walking ring. This area will also be sunk about 7 feet, better facilitating tiered viewing.

Twenty-one saddling stalls in total will fan out from either side of the tunnel connecting the paddock to the racetrack, flipping from their old orientation to face outward from the grandstand.

Surrounding the walking circle will be assorted viewing options, from terraced standing-room space to premium seating, including club spaces, that will overlook the paddock.

Also new are about 3,500 premium seats that will be created through the project, helping fulfill Churchill Downs' desire to increase premium seating offerings. Paddock capacity is expected to rise from about 1,000 spectators to 2,400.

Why is Churchill Downs transforming the paddock?

Track officials point to a few different motivations for re-envisioning what Churchill Downs spokesman Darren Rogers called the "heartbeat" of the track.

The former paddock, at 5,100 square feet, was simply too small for the big field of horses seen on days like the Kentucky Derby. Its new iteration will be closer to 12,000 square feet.

The old layout also blocked the view of the twin spires from the entrance gate and didn't promote the flow of fans through the facility.

"What I love about this new project is, right when you walk through the gates, you're going to see horses saddled in the paddock, and they're going to be beneath the twin spires," Rogers said. "It brings those spires back into a focal point."

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What work has already been completed?

This first phase of the paddock project is complete. Much of this work involved clearing the space and then readying the underground for its future use, including utility, electrical, sewer and foundational work.

Rogers estimates about 1,200 workers have worked on the project thus far.

How will the project impact Kentucky Derby 149?

No hard hats are required for the Kentucky Derby this year. What has very much been an active construction site since the summer of 2022 has paused to welcome some 300,000 guests during Kentucky Derby Week.

"It's clear that there are going to be some elements around here where you'll notice that we are under construction, but there are no obstacles," Rogers said. "We're going to make this the greatest Derby experience for those that come out here to make it as unnoticeable as possible."

Fans will still be able to see the horses before each race and, in fact, will have more room than ever to do so.

About 138,000 square feet will be available this year for guests to spread out and enjoy the plaza space beneath the spires.

"This will be the most spacious paddock that we have," Rogers said, noting that when phase two is complete, the open square footage will drop to around 78,000 square feet.

How will this year's paddock compare to the permanent version at Kentucky Derby 150?

The set-up for this year’s Derby will evoke the final vision of the space, set to debut in May 2024 for Kentucky Derby 150, minus the Coliseum-like seating.

The placement of the stalls, walking track and grassy center this year mirrors that of the future finalized footprint.

Churchill Downs is renting temporary stalls from Santa Anita Park in California to saddle and stable the Derby horses. Artificial grass has been laid along with chips for the horses to parade.

Crews have paved the rest of the construction site with asphalt for a smooth surface.

Given the larger paddock footprint, the surrounding walking plaza where vendors usually are set up is being extended past the gates into a portion of the parking lot. There will be merchandise, food and beverage and sponsor booths in the space along with an entertainment stage.

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What will happen after this year's Kentucky Derby?

While plans to redo the paddock have been in the planning stages for years, construction began after the 2022 spring meet in the summer of 2022.

With a brief pause for Kentucky Derby 149, work is expected to resume in the weeks following the race and continue into the weeks before race day in 2024.

The temporary stalls will return to California and workers will tear up the temporary asphalt to resume construction.

With foundational and underground work completed, crews from general contractor Calhoun Construction can start the above-ground building of the various seating structures, permanent stalls and walking circle.

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Business reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at mglowicki@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4000 or on Twitter @mattglo. 

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Churchill Downs Paddock undergoes big changes ahead of Kentucky Derby