LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, April 28, 2023) – Churchill Downs Racetrack and longtime local partner LG&E and KU Energy announced today LG&E and KU will become the first Green Energy partner of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.
LG&E and KU Energy, the holding company for Kentucky’s two largest utilities — Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company — will be the presenting sponsor of Saturday’s 10-race opening night program, which is now officially billed as “Opening Night Powered by LG&E” and kicks off the first “green” Kentucky Derby Week at the Downs.
Through participation in LG&E and KU’s Green Energy program, Churchill Downs Racetrack has agreed to purchase blocks of Green Energy from LG&E, equivalent to the total energy consumed by the track during live racing Kentucky Derby Week including: Opening Night Powered by LG&E (Saturday, April 29), 502’s Day (Tuesday, May 2), Champions Day (Wednesday, May 3), Thurby presented by Old Forester (Thursday, May 4), Longines Kentucky Oaks Day (Friday, May 5) and Kentucky Derby Day presented by Woodford Reserve (Saturday, May 6). In turn, the program purchases equivalent Renewable Energy Certificates on the track’s behalf. The certificates are purchased from renewable energy generators of solar, wind or biomass in Kentucky or neighboring states, support putting that renewable energy on the regional grid and credit the track for the environmental, social and other benefits associated with that sustainable energy.
“With our desire to be a steward of environmental efforts in the community, we’re delighted to formalize this exciting partnership with LG&E and KU to make this year the first official green Kentucky Derby Week,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson.
“We are proud to have the iconic Churchill Downs as a key customer and excited that, through this partnership, we will be helping them and the Kentucky Derby on their sustainability journey,” said John Crockett, president of LG&E and KU Energy.
As part of Saturday’s Opening Night Powered by LG&E festivities, LG&E will host on-site green energy activations and present the featured stakes race – the $175,000 Roxelana Overnight Stakes presented by LG&E and KU. Also, a Kentucky Derby Week-inspired fashion show will take place Saturday on the “green carpet.”
Admission gates will open Saturday at 5 p.m. The first race is at 6 p.m. To find out more Kentucky Derby week festivities at Churchill Downs racetrack, visit kentuckyderby.com. To learn more about LG&E and KU’s sustainable energy offerings, visit lge-ku.com/sustainability.
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About Churchill Downs Racetrack
Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com.
About LG&E and KU
Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve more than 1.3 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 334,000 natural gas and 433,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. KU serves 569,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. More information is available at www.lge-ku.com and www.pplweb.com.
