'Transformational': Churchill Downs unveils $200M paddock ahead of Kentucky Derby 150

Nearly two years of construction and $200 million later, Churchill Downs is unveiling its most transformative change at the track in recent memory.

A reimagined paddock is making its debut just in time for Kentucky Derby 150. The major investment is adding thousands of premium seats to the paddock area and offering new, up-close viewing experiences for top-dollar ticket holders.

Racetrackgoers will be able to check out the new paddock for the first time on Opening Night, April 27, the kickoff to Kentucky Derby week.

The Courier Journal got a sneak peek of the reimagined paddock ahead of Kentucky Derby week. Here's what to know about the new space:

How is the new paddock at Churchill Downs different?

The newly reconfigured paddock is taller, larger and grander than its predecessor.

Among the biggest changes is the relocation and 180-degree turn of the paddock stalls, which now face out toward the parking lot and are situated square between the iconic twin spires of Churchill Downs.

“The best thing about the new paddock is right when you walk through the gates, you see the horses saddled beneath the twin spires," said Churchill Downs spokesman Darren Rogers. "They’re the centerpiece of this truly transformational project.”

Visitors will recognize the line of stables, oblong oval walking ring and grassy center, which are recessed about 7 feet. But this footprint has grown from 5,000 square feet to 12,000 square feet, allowing capacity to jump from 1,000 to 2,400 inside the paddock.

Rising around these recognizable features of the paddock is a new, horseshoe-shaped structure extending three stories. This white-bricked building has about 3,600 premium seats across various clubs, suites, terraces and balconies.

The new paddock replaces the 1980s-era paddock, which was demolished ahead of Kentucky Derby 149.

About 18,500 tradespersons worked on the project over nearly two years, said Calhoun Construction's Jeff Palmquist, who has overseen the project. The last few months of construction have required daily work of 10- to 12-hour days.

"That's the good thing about the teams we have," he said. "They know there's the expectation that they're going to be working long days. We've got to get done. There's no not getting done."

What is the Club SI at Churchill Downs?

Club SI is one of two luxury experiences in the new paddock structure.

This first-level space is the result of a multi-year deal with Sports Illustrated for exclusive naming rights. Model Brooks Nader and football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith have been announced as “celebrity ambassadors” who will host guests at the club for both Kentucky Oaks and Derby, respectively.

The interior design of Club SI showcases iconic Sports Illustrated magazine covers and editorials featuring past Kentucky Derby races and gives a sneak peek into Sports Illustrated's new SI Resorts vertical.

Club SI will be open on premium race days throughout the year. Ticketholders can enjoy gourmet dishes and visit dedicated wagering windows and private bars.

They'll also have trackside views via a reserved viewing area, not to mention a dining space that offers an up-close paddock, including ground-floor views of the saddling stalls and paddock green, the Courier Journal previously reported.

While two-day Oaks and Derby tickets to this space ranged from $7,000 to $12,000, those with more modest budgets can get tickets for race days earlier in Kentucky Derby week for price points in the hundreds.

What is the Woodford Reserve Paddock Club at Churchill Downs?

The Woodford Reserve Paddock Club is the most premium offering in the redesigned paddock space, promising unparalleled viewing access. It will only be open during Kentucky Derby week, treated much like The Mansion.

Both Club SI and the Paddock Club have a wall of windows that are treated to allow guests to look out into the paddock stalls without being seen from the other side.

A unique feature of this first-level club is a private tunnel that leads from the luxury seating area to the paddock green for a close-up view of the horses.

The Paddock Club, which seats about 300 people, also includes a speakeasy, "luxury" food options, concierge service and railside space to watch the race.

Tickets for the club ranged from roughly $11,000-$16,000 for a two-day Kentucky Oaks and Derby ticket. Tickets from Champions Day, May 1, and Thurby, May 2, are closer to $400 per person.

What are the new seating areas like in the renovated paddock?

A slew of other seating options are part of the new paddock structure.

Choices include the Spires Terrace and Suites, a space that provides racegoers a 360-degree view of the track and the paddock from beneath the Twin Spires.

The Plaza Balcony and Loge faces the paddock and promises its ticketholders a close-up view of the jockeys as they head to the paddock.

The Silks Balcony and Loge offer paddock views from open-air dining tables and box seats, while the Champions Balcony and Loge offer a view of the twin spires and access to the Champions Bar on the clubhouse’s second level.

Can you still view the paddock activity without a premium ticket?

Despite the new multi-story structure and thousands of new paddock tickets, a portion of the new paddock is left open for frontside ticket holders.

Track visitors will have an unobstructed view of the horse stalls as they enter Churchill Downs on the northern side of the property, via the paddock gates. Above those stalls, a new digital ribbon will show horses' information and statistics.

Those without a paddock-specific ticket can still see the action from a tiered, standing-room-only space on the northern side of the new structure, which resembles a horseshoe.

A large, open space on the second level of the paddock, called the paddock terrace, also provides open standing room for frontside ticketholders. It's open to frontside ticket holders throughout Derby week on race days but will be limited to paddock ticket holders on Thurby, Oaks and Derby days.

First-floor bathrooms, wagering machines and food and beverage stations will be accessible to those with frontside access.

And for those wanting a closer-up look, new double-sided video boards on both sides of the paddock will also show paddock goings-on.

Features reporter Kirby Adams contributed to this report. Growth & development 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 $200M paddock renovation ahead of Kentucky Derby 150