Infielders Rejoice! Churchill Downs Delays Concrete Capital Campaign Project

Score one for the locals and remember this, because it doesn’t happen often. The little guy got a win over the big wigs at Churchill Downs Inc. And it’s all thanks to President Trump.

The Original Campaign Project

In February, Churchill Downs announced plans to invest $1 billion in capital campaign projects over the next four years to increase “premium experiences for the Kentucky Derby.” Derby Week is the track’s most lucrative time of the year. Following Covid, they learned that fans wouldn’t mind paying higher ticket prices for an all-inclusive food and drink experience.

No matter how much it costs, someone is willing to pay for these experiences. That high demand is why Churchill Downs Inc. decided to increase its supply. The $1 billion investment was planned to split between two large projects, renovating the Skye Terrace and building the “Conservatory” in the Infield.

The Skye Terrace was one of the first luxury suite areas at Churchill Downs and is the last piece of the track that has not been renovated in the 21st century. The Conservatory would replace the temporary infield suites with a luxurious look that feels more like 1925 than 2025.

Why Churchill Downs is Changing Plans

Churchill Downs Inc. released the following statement: “After careful consideration, CDI has decided to pause the multi-year projects to develop The Skye, Conservatory and Infield areas. The decision to delay these construction projects is due to the increasing uncertainty surrounding construction costs related to tariff and trade disputes as well as current macro-economic conditions. In the coming months, CDI will assess the evolving economic landscape and evaluate any changes to the timing and sequencing of these multi-year projects.”

This development makes it abundantly clear. President Trump’s tariffs are a smashing success.

Churchill Downs was already in the process of renovating The Mansion and Finish Line Suites. Those projects will be completed in April 2026.

Not Investing a Billion Dollars is Actually a Good Thing

Would it have been nice for the local economy to get a $1 billion investment? Probably, but you and I were never going to feel that. I guess my neighborhood grocery story won’t receive as much traffic from construction workers. Darn.

For the general admission ticket purchaser, the Infield project was a disaster. Adding more premium experiences meant taking away more general admission tickets. Folks finally figured out that the best view on Derby Day is from the Infield. They’ve been squeezing out locals for years, and this was going to be checkmate for Churchill Downs.

In the lead-up to Kentucky Derby 151, many considered this year’s event a sort of last ride. The grassy Infield we know and love was going to be replaced by concrete structures to upsell us for seats we can’t afford. The tree that has provided us with shade on hot days was going to be cut down. May 3 was going to be our swan song.

The Infield project wasn’t meant to improve the experience for traditional Infield patrons. If they want to do that, I have a much more inexpensive suggestion: sell Mint Juleps in Derby glasses, not plastic cups.

Economic uncertainty hits the lower and middle classes the hardest, but this time, we’re getting a big win.