Ep 5. Churchill Downs

In the fifth episode of Undercover Boss season 1, titled "Churchill Downs," viewers are taken behind the scenes of the famous racetrack and event space in Louisville, Kentucky. Churchill Downs is perhaps best known as the home of the Kentucky Derby, but it also hosts a variety of other events throughout the year, including concerts, weddings, and corporate events.

In this episode, the CEO of Churchill Downs, Bob Evans, goes undercover to see what life is like for his employees on a day-to-day basis. Dressed in a wig, fake mustache, and baseball cap, Evans goes by the name "Buddy" and poses as a new hire in several different roles at the track.

At the beginning of the episode, we see Evans meeting with his executive team to discuss his plan for going undercover. They all agree that it's a good idea, but some express concerns about the potential risks and the possibility of him being recognized by employees.

Evans starts his undercover journey by working as a hot walker, which is a person who walks horses around the track after they've finished racing. He struggles with the physical demands of the job, but he enjoys the opportunity to connect with some of the track's veteran employees and hear their stories about what it's like to work at Churchill Downs.

Next, Evans moves on to a different role: he works as a security guard, tasked with checking people's bags as they enter the track. He's surprised by how much responsibility the job entails and is impressed with the dedication and professionalism of his fellow security guards.

After that, Evans takes on a completely different role: he works as a bartender during a corporate event at the track. He struggles to keep up with the fast-paced environment and the demands of the customers, but he's touched by the generosity of a group of customers who leave him a large tip at the end of the night.

Finally, Evans wraps up his undercover experience by working as a maintenance worker, tasked with cleaning up after the horses and keeping the facilities clean and in good repair. He's shocked by the amount of work and the attention to detail that goes into maintaining the track and the surrounding facilities.

Throughout the episode, we see Evans struggling with the physical demands of the various jobs he takes on, but we also see him connecting with his employees on a personal level. He learns about their struggles and their hopes for the future, and he's inspired by their resilience and dedication to their jobs.

At the end of the episode, Evans reveals his true identity to the employees he worked with during his undercover experience. He thanks them for their hard work and dedication, and he pledges to make changes based on what he learned during his time working alongside them.

Overall, "Churchill Downs" is a heartwarming and inspiring episode of Undercover Boss that showcases the hard work and dedication of the employees who make one of the country's most iconic race tracks run smoothly.