Vice President of Corporate Communications, CHURCHILL DOWNS INC
GDL: Tonya Abeln Discuses 502 Tuesday at Churchill Downs
Tonya Abeln speaks with Claudia about how 502uesday allows locals to celebrate Derby season!
About Tonya Abeln
Tonya Abeln, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Churchill Downs and President of the Churchill Downs Foundation, has been active in promoting the company's community engagement and the 150th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby. In September 2024, she discussed "502 Tuesday," a local event offering $5 admission, describing it as an opportunity for Churchill Downs to "open those gates and say come one, come all." She also highlighted the new $200 million paddock, which she said "brought people together" and "created all of these layers for everyone to gather." In a podcast, Abeln noted that Churchill Downs has grown from four racetracks to nine racetracks, 30 casinos, and a large online wagering platform since 2007, employing over 10,000 people. Abeln has emphasized the company's philanthropic efforts, stating that the Churchill Downs Foundation focuses on "offsetting any footprint or impact that may be made as a result of just doing business." She cited initiatives such as sponsoring 150 horse statues for "Galapalooza" to benefit the Brightside Foundation and a $150,000 sponsorship for Gift for Goods Louisville Day. Abeln also discussed the company's support for the backside community, jockeys, and horse aftercare, as well as its commitment to reducing inequalities through partnerships with organizations like the Community Foundation of Louisville. She described her role as "living my dream" and said that "human connection is the most important thing to me."
Transcript (13 segments)
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Host0:01
It is 50 Tuesday. And for all the locals that say, hey, y'all, let's get together at the track and have a good time. It is gonna be filled with locals here at Churchill Downs coming up later today. Can you just imagine all the thousands of people packed into the track here, kicking off Derby in style, not only watching the races but getting together and celebrating what has become a fast growing tradition here at Churchill Downs and for Derby Week. I'm joined by Tanya Aland, the Vice President of Communications for Churchill Downs, in what has become our kind of annual tradition, to have you here on 50 Tuesday.
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Tonya Abeln0:38
It started with... I love starting with you because I met you, Claudia, for the first time. I was... I was... tell them all those stories. Don't tell them all for later. But you, I was from a small town in Kentucky. We were both in college and you were from Louisville. And so you represented Louisville to me, you had this sort of urban sophistication that I didn't have. And so I love starting this day with you and talking about Louisville's history. And so all those memories we all have. We love the city and now for us, 50 Tuesday is so important at Churchill Downs because it lets us celebrate the community that has made 150 years possible for us. And it really, this day really has become one of the most popular days for locals. It's like it's our day. It happened so quickly. I mean, we just kicked it off last year. This is only the second year, but it took off so quickly. I feel like it took us a while to get catch on to Thursday. People kind of resisted Thursday, but 50 Tuesday, people were really on it right away. And part of it's that $5 general admission. We hear the community talk about cost prohibitive things through Derby season and this is our opportunity to open those gates and say come one, come all, have a great day with us. And what I really love is that people get dressed up for 50 Tuesday as if it is Derby Day. You will still see great fashion here today.
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Host1:44
Totally. People will shop and I knew what is my Tuesday look because I cared more honestly about my Tuesday look. That is the real thing. It was like growing up, Oaks was like the big deal for you. Like Oaks used to be real win, right? And so for me it was too because it was the day that we could have the cheaper admission and we could come in and it was a big dress up day.
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Tonya Abeln2:02
Yeah. Absolutely. I feel the same way. I think people, and the great thing is you can still be casual and feel totally comfortable, but people do go all out for 50 Tuesday.
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Host2:10
Okay. I think this is for the first time, many locals are going to be stepping into that brand new paddock. Can I brag on that for a moment? Because I just saw it for the first time on Saturday. It is overwhelming in the best possible way because it is so grand. When you stand out there and you look up and you keep seeing another level and another level, it is absolutely amazing. It kind of blew me away. I wasn't mentally prepared.
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Tonya Abeln2:32
You know, I don't know that I was either because you see the rendering, you see it grow and evolve the past two years. And then Saturday night was the first time you saw it in practice. And it really made sense to me for the first time because I was afraid that that grand building would be exclusive, that it would keep people out. But it did just the opposite. It brought people together and it created all of these layers for everyone to gather and look at those beautiful horses and just be in on the energy at the same time. It was so exciting. And the whole paddock feel, the horses as they make their rounds and they're warming up, they were so much closer than I thought. It was like their red carpet. It really was like a red carpet for them. They're strutting around and it creates more opportunity for people to be able to be a part of that moment before they really... really, really special. So I think that's one thing as locals walk in and see that for the first time. And a big thing has been people taking their pictures. There was a line of people waiting to take their pictures right in front of the new paddock.
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Host3:23
That was a thing. I didn't expect that.
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Tonya Abeln3:25
And I didn't either, but it's created a perfect photo moment because just as we had hoped, it opens up the Twin Spires, which is really that iconic piece of architecture that people think of when they think of Churchill Downs. And now you see it right away as soon as you come in. So, yeah, great photo moment. We'll see lots of those on social media throughout the day and all week long.
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Host3:41
All right, the races kick off today. What's first post? Like 12:45?
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Tonya Abeln3:47
I think 11:45 is gates open, right?
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Host3:52
So, yes. Let me read through some of these names. So Claudia has names of the races. I didn't commit all these to memory, but they're great because they're tying into this whole local thing. They're named after local landmarks. If you grew up here, you know, I don't need to explain. Right. Okay. So race number one is the Village Eight Theaters. Which we all know. Race number two is Hasenour's and Paul said that's a famous restaurant here. Race three is our race. Which one? Bacon's Department store? For sure. Bacon's is our race here. We buy our spree... Gu... Jeans. What else? Bene... United... Race four is the Burger Queen. Race five, the Red Barn. Great memory. I know what the Red Barn is. Race six is the L's restaurant. Race seven is Ear Ecstasy. We're gonna round out the party on the day, right? Race eight is the Toy Tiger. You know that one. Race nine is Jim Porter's Good Time Emporium.
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Tonya Abeln4:52
Well, and I think that so many of those are back from last year because they were just so popular and people love them. So we're honoring these memories of the past, but then also today specifically, we are paying tribute to other organizations and companies in Louisville who are also 150 years old like Churchill Downs. That's hard to do. There aren't many of them. And so between races we'll celebrate them and there are other great memories that continue through those companies and organizations.
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Host5:16
Thank you for keeping this 50 Tuesday tradition alive by having you on the Great Day Live set backside. I love it. I absolutely love it. To get your tickets at $5 admission is so awesome. Please take advantage of that today. For more information, just go to ChurchillDowns.com.