By Bruce Schreiner
The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE - An aging colonnade creaked under the weight of a claw-like wrecker and then crashed in a heap Friday, signaling the start of the second phase of $121 million in renovations at Churchill Downs.

The construction will give a facelift to the 129-year-old track, upgrading everything from Millionaire's Row, where the rich and famous hobnob at the Kentucky Derby, to the kitchen and dining rooms.

With a riverboat casino docked a short distance away on the Indiana side of the Ohio River, Churchill officials hope the improvements will put the horse track ahead of the pack in competing for gambling dollars.

The colonnade dated to 1924, but within a few minutes of demolition all that was left were long piles of age-worn wood.

"There have been a countless number of fans and dignitaries that have walked through that gate and under that walkway on their way into the racetrack and their seats," track spokesman John Asher said. "It's seen a lot of Derby history, like any section of this racetrack."

The $95 million second phase of renovations will include a new and expanded Turf Club and a new Skye Terrace, home to Millionaire's Row.

The track will add dining rooms, kitchens and a new press box, along with simulcast facilities, where fans bet on races at other tracks.

The demolition work is scheduled to be finished in September, well before the start of the track's fall meet in late October.

Workers began clearing out areas slated for demolition once the track's spring meet ended last Sunday. The work moved faster than expected, allowing demolition to begin a few days ahead of schedule.

"We have set a very ambitious schedule for the second phase of our renovation project, so we are very pleased to gain a few days on the front end of that schedule," said track President Steve Sexton.

Sexton called the renovations "one of the most important endeavors in Churchill Downs history."

Asher said the upgrades will give Churchill the amenities that sports fans have grown accustomed to at other venues.

"Although people love the history here, they have a great personal and emotional attachment to this place, it was hard for us to keep people comfortable on a cold day or a hot day," he said.

The track drew 716,212 fans during its 52-day spring meet, up 5.7 percent from a year ago.

Wagering increased to $93.7 million, up 1.7 percent. It marked the first increase in on-track attendance since 2000.

The $26 million first phase, scheduled for completion in September, added dozens of luxury suites atop the grandstands and refurbished the famed Twin Spires, a picturesque backdrop to the track.

The second phase will add more luxury suites.

The renovations are scheduled to be completed by early 2005.