Opening Day at Churchill Downs starts the action. Thurby, on April 30, and Kentucky Oaks, on May 1, build to the moment with high-stakes races as Louisville swells with crowds ready for the Kentucky Derby.

But Wednesday — or Winsday, as Churchill Downs has dubbed it — is built around supporting local charities and nonprofits, with 50 local organizations set to receive a boost from Churchill Downs ticket sales on April 29. The registered groups sold passes ahead of the day's races that allowed them to keep $5 of each ticket sold, with the top sellers landing additional money.

Finishing in first place was Cedar Lake Foundation, which sold 104 tickets and landed a $1,500 boost. Animal Care Society took second place, and $1,000, with 67 tickets sold, while All In Inc. sold 65 tickets and got an additional $500.

Cedar Lake Foundation supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Animal Care Society works to help neglected, abused, senior pets, and pets with medical needs, and All In Inc. focuses on supporting people with Down syndrome and other disabilities. The Community Foundation of Louisville said each of the 50 participating groups "reflect the very best of who we are — meeting urgent needs, lifting up neighbors, and creating real, lasting change across our community."

Michele Griffin protects herself from the rain while arriving for a day of racing on “Winsday” during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 29, 2026.Casey Saegesser and Isaac Saegesser look over the paddock on “Winsday” during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 29, 2026.Evan Miller with Red Moon Marketing uses a squeegee to remove water from an outdoor carpet on “Winsday” during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 29, 2026.Ponchos were a common sight during early rain showers on “Winsday” during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 29, 2026.Friends laugh together after arriving on “Winsday” during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 29, 2026.1 / 5Ahead of Kentucky Derby, view photos from WinsDay at Churchill DownsMichele Griffin protects herself from the rain while arriving for a day of racing on “Winsday” during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 29, 2026.1 / 5Ahead of Kentucky Derby, view photos from WinsDay at Churchill DownsMichele Griffin protects herself from the rain while arriving for a day of racing on “Winsday” during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 29, 2026.2 / 5Ahead of Kentucky Derby, view photos from WinsDay at Churchill DownsCasey Saegesser and Isaac Saegesser look over the paddock on “Winsday” during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 29, 2026.3 / 5Ahead of Kentucky Derby, view photos from WinsDay at Churchill DownsEvan Miller with Red Moon Marketing uses a squeegee to remove water from an outdoor carpet on “Winsday” during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 29, 2026.4 / 5Ahead of Kentucky Derby, view photos from WinsDay at Churchill DownsPonchos were a common sight during early rain showers on “Winsday” during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 29, 2026.5 / 5Ahead of Kentucky Derby, view photos from WinsDay at Churchill DownsFriends laugh together after arriving on “Winsday” during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on April 29, 2026.You may like: How the Churchill Downs outriders keep the horses, jockeys safe

“‘Winsday’ makes a direct impact on the lives of many across Louisville and the Kentuckiana region,” Claire Simms, senior director of corporate social responsibility at Churchill Downs Incorporated, said in a release leading up to the race.

Of course, staff from those nonprofits made up just a portion of the crowd at Churchill Downs. In previous years, Winsday has brought out about 25,000 or more attendees — a fraction of the six-digit crowd expected at the 2026 Run for the Roses, but a significant showing even on a day that started with wet weather in the morning. The forecast is expected to clear up later in the week, although temperatures are set to drop heading into the weekend.

Jennifer and Mark Whalen were among those settling in at the racetrack a little after 1 p.m., wearing matching red and white ensembles. The couple live in Louisville and are Kentucky Derby Week veterans and make a point each year to come out to at least one day of races, they said outside Churchill Downs near the statue of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro.

More on Barbaro: How Barbaro's tragic death 20 years ago changed horse racing forever

The day's races are a little more casual than later in the week, Jennifer Whalen said, though you wouldn't know it from her outfit, a striped dress with a matching fascinator. "No matter what she says," Mark Whalen joked, "the reason we come out here is so she can dress up."

"There's less crowd — but actually, Winsday, they're pepped up," she added. "Winsday seems to be less pressure. Every year at Derby, everybody's like, 'Well, what's the weather going to be like?' Today's more laid back, I think."

Jennifer Whalen was leaning toward betting on Emerging Market in the 2026 Kentucky Derby, she said. Mark Whalen, who's owned horses in the past, said he still needs to study up before making his pick.

More Kentucky Derby news: How does Kentucky Derby scratch impact Churchill Downs post positions?

Mike Peters made the trip to Churchill Downs this week from South Carolina, a drive that took more than seven hours. Standing near the revamped paddock as he waited for the second race of the day to begin, he said making money was a lower priority than enjoying the visit with friends who live in the region — although he "won't be complaining over a win or two."

Winsday races began at 12:45 p.m. — Empire Builder, a seven-year-old gelding whose pedigree dates back to 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker, won the opener — and were set to run through 5:30 p.m.

Churchill Downs' gates will reopen for "Thurby" festivities at 11:30 a.m., with races to start again at 12:45 p.m. and run through about 7 p.m. Thursday's forecast in Louisville calls for sunny skies with a high near 65 degrees.

Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Churchill Downs 'Winsday' supports nonprofits ahead of Kentucky Derby