Churchill Downs' big Oaks Day change

Derby weekend won't be the same next year, following the news that Churchill Downs is pushing the running of the Kentucky Oaks back to 8 p.m. or later.

We chat about the impact of that on this week's Access Louisville podcast.

Churchill Downs announced the change on Thursday, July 24. Typically post time for the race, which runs the day before the Kentucky Derby, is scheduled shortly before 6 p.m. NBC executives say the race will move to NBC and Peacock, and the primetime post will allow for a “spectacular twilight finish.”

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The big impact will likely be how restaurants and bars evolve their dinner service. They're obviously losing a few hours — though it's hard to imagine that restaurants will actually be empty at dinner time on Oaks Day. We'll surely be watching how restaurants respond come next May.

We also chat about how the Derby Week experience has evolved over the years as it becomes more of a "bucket list" type of event for the world. Oaks Day used to be known as the day for locals to come to the track but that hasn't been the case for some time. Even Thurby is a scene, nowadays. For better or worse, locals are much more likely to be spotted walking around at 502'sDay at the track.

Reporter Joel Stinnett also gives us an update on a recent project at the track — albeit a behind the scenes one.

Later in the show we shift gears to talk about gas station food.

The popular gas station Wawa opened recently in Louisville — bringing out a number of fans. We also got the news that a Florida gas station, Nick & Moes, known for its fried chicken, is opening locally. That gets us talking about favorite gas station foods as well as the cult following that many of these chains have managed to cultivate.

Access Louisville, sponsored by Baird, is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. It's available on popular podcast services including Apple Podcasts and Spotify (which are linked above.) You can also listen in the player above.