Kentucky Derby

Event Background

The Kentucky Derby, often called “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” is the premier horse racing event held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. First run in 1875, the race is the oldest continuously held major sporting event in the United States and the first leg of the prestigious Triple Crown of horse racing. The 2024 Kentucky Derby drew over 150,000 fans to Churchill Downs, maintaining its status as a cornerstone of American sporting tradition and a showcase of elite thoroughbred racing.

Scope of Work

Fans, Corporate clients (via Derby Experiences)
Sedans, Luxury SUVs, Mini Busses, (Limo) Sprinters, 100+ Motorcoaches
Hotels surrounding Louisville, Churchill Dawns, restaurants, (private) airports
Parking operations

Key Solutions

Challenges

Peak Demand
The Kentucky Derby brings 150,000+ attendees to Louisville, overwhelming standard transportation infrastructure
Crowd Management
Managing thousands of fans on our parking at the Churchill Downs requires intricate traffic routing and security protocols
Local Partner Coordination
Coordinating multiple (across-state) transportation providers creates complex logistics and quality control demands

Designed solutions

Pre-event Planning
We mapped out detailed routes and dedicated pickup zones in advance, coordinating with Churchill Downs officials and local authorities to optimize traffic flow
Onsite Operations
Our ground team established clear walking paths with cones and signage to keep guests moving efficiently and prevent bottlenecks
Streamlined Communication & Quality Control
We handled all vendor communication and quality control through a central command center, ensuring consistent service standards across our local transportation partners