Churchill Downs Finish Line Pole

From 1956 to 1985, this finish line pole stood at Churchill Downs as 30 Kentucky Derby winners passed it and were ushered into the Winner's Circle, beginning with Needles in 1956. It also served during the Kentucky Derby victories of three eventual Triple Crown winners, Secretariat in 1973, Seattle Slew in 1977, and Affirmed in 1978. The pole was removed in 1985 when construction of the Matt Winn Turf Course began, and it was later renovated and reinstalled with support from the Remodelers Council of Homebuilders Association of Louisville, Isaac Contracting, PC Building Materials, Highland Roofing, and Churchill Downs.

Louisville, Kentucky · United States