LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) (the “Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”) today reported business results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

First Quarter 2021 Highlights

• Net revenue of $324.3 million, up 28% over the prior year quarter
• Net income^(a) of $36.1 million compared to net loss of $23.4 million in the prior year quarter 
  • Adjusted net income^(a) of $34.6 million, compared to $2.0 million in the prior year quarter
• Adjusted EBITDA of $110.6 million, up 100% compared to $55.3 million in the prior year quarter
• Derby City Gaming delivered record net revenue of $32.9 million, up 52% over the prior year quarter
• Our TwinSpires Horse Racing business delivered record first quarter net revenue of $93.1 million, up 39% over the prior year quarter
• Our TwinSpires Sports and Casino business launched sports betting and iGaming operations in Michigan on January 22, 2021 and sports betting operations in Tennessee on March 18, 2021
• Our Gaming Segment delivered record Adjusted EBITDA of $82.4 million, up 72% over the prior year quarter
• In February 2021, Kentucky passed legislation that clarifies the legality of historical racing machines
• On February 1, 2021, we purchased one million shares of CHDN stock from The Duchossois Group for $193.94 per share ($193.9 million total) in a privately negotiated transaction

(a) Reflects amounts attributable to Churchill Downs Incorporated.

First Quarter 2021 Results

The Company’s first quarter of 2021 net income attributable to Churchill Downs Incorporated was $36.1 million compared to net loss attributable to Churchill Downs Incorporated of $23.4 million in the prior year quarter. The Company’s first quarter of 2021 net income from continuing operations was $36.1 million compared to net loss from continuing operations of $22.6 million in the prior year quarter. We do not have any noncontrolling interest as of the first quarter of 2021 compared to a net loss attributable to our noncontrolling interest of $0.1 million in the prior year quarter.

The following items impacted the comparability of the Company’s first quarter net income from continuing operations:

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• $14.0 million after-tax expense decrease related to our equity portion of the non-cash change in fair value of Rivers Casino Des Plaines (“Rivers Des Plaines”) interest rate swaps;
• $12.0 million non-cash after-tax impact related to our intangible asset impairment from the first quarter of 2020 that did not recur in the first quarter of 2021; and
• $1.0 million after-tax expense decrease related to lower transaction, pre-opening and other expenses.
• Partially offset by a $0.9 million after-tax increase in Rivers Des Plaines’ legal reserves and transaction costs.

Excluding these items, first quarter 2021 net income from continuing operations increased $32.6 million primarily due to the following:

• $33.4 million after-tax increase driven by the results of our operations and equity income from our unconsolidated affiliates.
• Partially offset by $0.8 million after-tax increase in interest expense associated with higher outstanding debt balances.

Segment Results

During the first quarter of 2021, we updated our operating segments as follows:

• We changed the Churchill Downs segment to the Live and Historical Racing segment to facilitate the realignment of our new HRM facilities – Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel (“Oak Grove”), Newport Racing & Gaming (“Newport”), and Turfway Park from All Other to this segment. The Live and Historical Racing segment now includes Churchill Downs Racetrack, Derby City Gaming, Oak Grove, Turfway Park, and Newport.
• We renamed the Online Wagering segment to the TwinSpires segment to facilitate the realignment of our retail sports betting results at our wholly-owned casinos from our Gaming segment to the TwinSpires segment.

The summaries below present net revenue from external customers and intercompany revenue from each of our reportable segments:

For the first quarter of 2021, net revenue increased $35.6 million from the prior year quarter primarily due to a $19.4 million increase at Oak Grove as a result of the opening of the HRM facility in September 2020 and the hotel in October 2020, an $11.3 million increase from Derby City Gaming primarily due to the temporary suspension of operations in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic and the completion of their second outdoor patio which added an additional 225 HRMs in September 2020, a $4.4 million increase at Newport due to the opening in October 2020, and a $0.5 million increase from other sources.

Adjusted EBITDA increased $17.3 million in the first quarter of 2021 from the prior year quarter due to a $8.9 million increase from Derby City Gaming due to the increase in net revenue, increased operating efficiencies, and the temporary closure of the property in March 2020, a $6.6 million increase at Oak Grove due to the opening of the HRM facility in September 2020, a $0.8 million increase at Turfway Park due to an increase in handle, a $0.7 million increase at Newport due to the opening in October 2020, and a $0.3 million increase at Churchill Downs Racetrack primarily due to the temporary suspension of operations in March 2020.

For the first quarter of 2021, net revenue increased $30.7 million from the prior year quarter primarily due to a $26.1 million increase from Horse Racing and a $4.6 million increase from Sports and Casino. Horse Racing net revenue increased as a result of an increase in handle of $113.3 million, or 34%, compared to the prior year quarter due to the continued shift from wagering at brick-and-mortar locations to online wagering. Sports and Casino net revenue increased as a result of our expansion in additional states since the first quarter of 2020 and increased marketing and promotional activities.

Adjusted EBITDA increased $6.5 million in the first quarter of 2021 from the prior year quarter primarily due to a $9.9 million increase from Horse Racing due to an increase in handle, partially offset by a $3.4 million increase in the loss from Sports and Casino due to increased marketing and promotional activities.

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For the first quarter of 2021, net revenue increased $6.6 million primarily due to a $7.3 million increase at Fair Grounds and VSI, a $5.2 million increase at Ocean Downs, and a $5.0 million increase at our Mississippi properties, all of which resulted from the temporary suspension of operations in March 2020. Partially offsetting these increases were a $4.4 million decrease at Oxford, a $3.2 million decrease at Presque Isle, a $2.4 million decrease at Lady Luck Nemacolin, and a $0.9 million decrease at Calder, all of which resulted from certain operating restrictions.

Adjusted EBITDA increased $34.5 million for the first quarter of 2021 from the prior year quarter driven by a $24.1 million increase at our wholly-owned Gaming properties and a $10.4 million increase from our equity investments, both of which were due to increased operating efficiencies and the temporary closure of all of our Gaming properties in March 2020.

All Other

For the first quarter of 2021, All Other Adjusted EBITDA decreased $3.0 million driven by a $4.4 million increase in accrued bonuses at Corporate compared to prior year where accrued bonuses were reduced as a result of the temporary suspension of operations in March 2020. Partially offsetting this decrease was a $1.4 million increase from Arlington due to increased operating efficiencies and the temporary suspension of operations in March 2020.

Conference Call

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A conference call regarding this news release is scheduled for Thursday, April 22, 2021, at 9 a.m. ET. Investors and other interested parties may listen to the teleconference by accessing the online, real-time webcast and broadcast of the call at http://ir.churchilldownsincorporated.com/events.cfm, or by dialing (877) 372-0878 and entering the pass code 6449063 at least 10 minutes before the appointed time. International callers should dial (253) 237-1169. An online replay will be available at approximately noon ET on Thursday, April 22, 2021, and will continue to be available for two weeks. A copy of the Company’s news release announcing quarterly results and relevant financial and statistical information about the period will be accessible at www.churchilldownsincorporated.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to the results provided in accordance with GAAP, the Company also uses non-GAAP measures, including adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and Adjusted EBITDA.

The Company uses non-GAAP measures as a key performance measure of the results of operations for purposes of evaluating performance internally. These measures facilitate comparison of operating performance between periods and help investors to better understand the operating results of the Company by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of the Company’s core business or operating results. The Company believes the use of these measures enables management and investors to evaluate and compare, from period to period, the Company’s operating performance in a meaningful and consistent manner. The non-GAAP measures are a supplemental measure of our performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income or diluted EPS (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as a measure of our operating results.

We use Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate segment performance, develop strategy and allocate resources. We utilize the Adjusted EBITDA metric to provide a more accurate measure of our core operating results and enable management and investors to evaluate and compare from period to period our operating performance in a meaningful and consistent manner. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income as an indicator of performance, as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. Our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may be different from the calculation used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.

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Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS exclude discontinued operations net income or loss; net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interest; changes in fair value for interest rate swaps related to Rivers Des Plaines; Rivers Des Plaines’ legal reserves and transaction costs; transaction expense, which includes acquisition and disposition related charges, Calder racing exit costs, as well as legal, accounting, and other deal-related expense; pre-opening expense; and certain other gains, charges, recoveries, and expenses.

Adjusted EBITDA includes the Company’s portion of EBITDA from our equity investments.

Adjusted EBITDA excludes:

• Transaction expense, net which includes:
  • Acquisition and disposition related charges; and
  • Other transaction expense, including legal, accounting, and other deal-related expense;
• Stock-based compensation expense;
• Rivers Des Plaines’ impact on our investments in unconsolidated affiliates from:
  • The impact of changes in fair value of interest rate swaps and
  • Legal reserves and transaction costs;
• Asset impairments;
• Legal reserves;
• Pre-opening expense; and
• Other charges, recoveries and expenses.

For segment reporting, Adjusted EBITDA includes intercompany revenue and expense totals that are eliminated in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Refer to the Reconciliation of Comprehensive Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA included herewith for additional information.

About Churchill Downs Incorporated

Churchill Downs Incorporated is an industry-leading racing, online wagering and gaming entertainment company anchored by our iconic flagship event, the Kentucky Derby. We own and operate three pari-mutuel gaming entertainment venues with approximately 3,050 historical racing machines in Kentucky. We also own and operate TwinSpires, one of the largest and most profitable online wagering platforms for horse racing, sports and iGaming in the U.S. and we have seven retail sportsbooks. We are also a leader in brick-and-mortar casino gaming in eight states with approximately 11,000 slot machines and video lottery terminals and 200 table games. Additional information about Churchill Downs Incorporated can be found online at www.churchilldownsincorporated.com.

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This news release contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” and similar words or similar expressions (or negative versions of such words or expressions).

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Important factors, among others, that may materially affect actual results or outcomes include the following: the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and related economic matters on our results of operations, financial conditions and prospects; the occurrence of extraordinary events, such as terrorist attacks, public health threats, civil unrest, and inclement weather; the effect of economic conditions on our consumers’ confidence and discretionary spending or our access to credit; additional or increased taxes and fees; the impact of significant competition, and the expectation the competition levels will increase; changes in consumer preferences, attendance, wagering, and sponsorships; loss of key or highly skilled personnel; lack of confidence in the integrity of our core businesses or any deterioration in our reputation; risks associated with equity investments, strategic alliances and other third-party agreements; inability to respond to rapid technological changes in a timely manner; concentration and evolution of slot machine manufacturing and other technology conditions that could impose additional costs; inability to negotiate agreements with industry constituents, including horsemen and other racetracks; inability to successfully expand our TwinSpires Sports and Casino business and effectively compete; inability to identify and complete expansion, acquisition or divestiture projects, on time, on budget or as planned; difficulty in integrating recent or future acquisitions into our operations; costs and uncertainties relating to the development of new venues and expansion of existing facilities; general risks related to real estate ownership and significant expenditures, including fluctuations in market values and environmental regulations; reliance on our technology services and catastrophic events and system failures disrupting our operations; online security risk, including cyber-security breaches, or loss or misuse of our stored information as a result of a breach, including customers’ personal information, could lead to government enforcement actions or other litigation; personal injury litigation related to injuries occurring at our racetracks; compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or applicable money-laundering regulations; payment-related risks, such as risk associated with fraudulent credit card and debit card use; work stoppages and labor issues; risks related to pending or future legal proceedings and other actions; highly regulated operations and changes in the regulatory environment could adversely affect our business; restrictions in our debt facilities limiting our flexibility to operate our business; failure to comply with the financial ratios and other covenants in our debt facilities and other indebtedness; and increase in our insurance costs, or obtain similar insurance coverage in the future, and inability to recover under our insurance policies for damages sustained at our properties in the event of inclement weather and casualty events.

We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited)

CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

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CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)

CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)

(a) The income tax impact for each adjustment is derived by applying the effective tax rate, including current and deferred income tax expense, based upon the jurisdiction and the nature of the adjustment.
(b) Due to the sale of Big Fish Games, Inc., Big Fish Games is presented as a discontinued operation.
(c) For the three months ended March 31, 2020, diluted weighted average shares outstanding included 0.5 million shares of anti-dilutive stock awards excluded from the calculation of diluted shares for purposes of GAAP since we were in a net loss position.

(a) Total handle generated by Velocity is not included in total handle from TwinSpires Horse Racing

CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)

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CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)

(a) Food and beverage, hotel, and other services furnished to customers for free as an inducement to wager or through the redemption of our customers’ loyalty points are recorded at the estimated standalone selling prices in Other revenue with a corresponding offset recorded as a reduction in historical racing pari-mutuel revenue for historical racing machines or gaming revenue for our casino properties. These amounts were $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and $7.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)

Adjusted EBITDA by segment is comprised of the following:

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CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)

CHURCHILL DOWNS INCORPORATED
SUPPLEMENTAL JOINT VENTURE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Summarized financial information for our equity investments is comprised of the following:

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Contact: Nick Zangari
(502) 394-1157
[email protected]