LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For decades, spectators turned their backs to the twin spires as they surveyed the horses at Churchill Downs. After two years of construction, the majestic paddock now brings the iconic spires and athletic spectacle together.
"This paddock is 12,000 square feet, so it's more than twice the size of the old paddock," Darren Rogers, a spokesperson for the race track, said.
The spires now sit directly above where the horses will be saddled for the race. Though construction is finished, the never-ending task of touching up green and white paint still underway.
Forklifts and golf carts whizzed around the renovated paddock; the hustle and bustle of preparing for the milestone Derby 150.
Twin club rooms underneath the spires offer a new way to enjoy the parade of race horses.
Inside the first club house, the Sports Illustrated bar is ready for the first lap of mint juleps to fly off the shelf. Decorated with original derby horse saddles and magazine covers from other momentous races, like Derby 100.
And on the other side of the horse tunnel that leads to the paddock, the Woodford Reserve Paddock Club shares more racing antiques on the wall with the historic grand stand brick at the far end of the room exposed under skylight.
And beneath all that, under dim lights, an underground bourbon tunnel is part of the paddock redesign.
If you follow it all the tunnel through, it takes you back up to where you can see the horses. Stretching from the twin spires to even underground, the huge project took almost 300 people working daily to get it done in time for derby.
"It's always fun when I hear my kids say, 'daddy built that,'" Project Executive Jeff Palmquist said. The proud Kentucky boy wore a smile as he stood on the mark he left on his home state's history.
"We did put in a lot of long days, had some short tempers, but we got her done and I couldn't be happier," he said.
Races at Churchill Downs officially begin this Saturday. That's when the track will draw post positions for the Kentucky Derby.
Opening day general admission tickets start at $25, with admission to the Sports Illustrated Club costing $200.
Take a look at the full gallery:
PHOTOS | Churchill Downs paddock is ready for Kentucky Derby 150
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