Home of the world famous diner, and race horse liniment
Our Story
“Wagner’s is Churchill Downs; Churchill Downs is
Wagner’s.” That sentiment, or something close to it,
is echoed by almost everyone who walks in the joint
— both regulars from the old school of horse racing
and first-timers there to join the club, if only for a day.
“It’s history is written all over the walls. You’ll find a
collage of past Derby winners along with famous figures
that graced the pharmacy’s fountain throughout the
years.”
What started out as a low-key meeting spot for
coffee and conversation among horsemen, was eventually “discovered” by the mainstream
media and now has been written about by everyone from the Los Angeles Times to Southern Living to local TV news crews. Wagner’s has also appeared in the major motion pictures, Elizabethtown, and Secretariat.
It’s become another stop for out-of-towners in the whirlwind of activity that is Derby Week, but through it all has
retained its unassuming, down-to-earth character.
Wagner’s opened in 1922 when Leo Wagner bought Hagen’s Pharmacy on the northeast corner of Fourth Street and Central Avenue, where he worked since he was 14. Threatened by the presence of another newly opened pharmacy on the block, Wagner looked for a
market to corner — finding it at Churchill Downs.
He let the horsemen buy their cigarettes and other weekly staples on credit and generated a friendship and loyalty that has lasted for three generations.
Wagner's continues to serve their diner patrons breakfast and lunch with a nostalgic gift shop. Our partner company Becker & Durski creates customized turf goods items such as jockey silks, saddle towels, blankets and blinkers. We also perform screen printing, sublimation and embroidery on retail items with personal logos. Contact us for more info!
Contact Us
Contact Wagner's Pharmacy for any restaurant and gift shop questions. Becker & Durski is our sibling company for all jockey silks, and saddle towel needs.
Our address
3113 S 4th Street
Louisville, KY 40214
Open hours
Restaurant Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Saturday 7AM- 2:30PM
Sunday 8AM- 2:30PM
Becker & Durski Turf Goods Hours:
Monday-Friday 10AM-4PM
502-375-3800
Breakfast Menu
Lunch Menu
Lunch Menu
Weekend Brunch Menu
Served every Saturday and Sunday
Call 502-375-3800 for carryout orders!
Track Kitchen
Last year we renewed our partnership with Churchill Downs to manage the backside Track Kitchen.
We proudly serve the backside employees and guests at Churchill Downs.
Now hiring for all positions!
Contact us if interested in joining our team.
Becker & Durski Turf Goods
Becker & Durski began in the late 1800's when Charles Becker and Matthew Durski learned how to sew leather goods. Their business grew to a storefront location on Market Street providing quality saddles. They sold the company to Charles Griffin who moved the storefront to South Fourth Street. In 1968, Lee Wagner, II purchased Becker & Durski to expand their services to local horsemen. Today we strive to continue providing quality products like jockey silks, saddle towels, blinkers and more. We offer customized services such as sublimation, embroidery and screen printing on products outside of our turf goods catalog. Contact us to place your order!
News
Wagner's Pharmacy Inc and Becker & Durski Turf Goods have a long history serving the equine community.
Wagner's Pharmacy Articles-
https://www.wdrb.com/wdrb-in-the-morning/wagners-pharmacy-and-restaurant-has-been-celebrating-derby-week-for-close-to-100-years/article_18a1bc74-a76c-11eb-8dbf-2ff73b371665.html
https://www.wdrb.com/meet-some-famous-trainers-at-wagners-pharmacy/video_6ab71323-3acb-5781-adea-2f5863aa61f7.html
https://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/02/the-best-spot-for-one-stop-shopping/
https://voice-tribune.com/_/news/cover-story/wagners-legacy/
https://www.lex18.com/sports/race-to-the-derby/wagners-pharmacy-a-tasty-tradition
Becker & Durski Turf Goods Articles-
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/makers-mark-1991-kentucky-derby-1738562254
https://www.courier-journal.com/picture-gallery/sports/horses/triple/derby/2017/05/04/jockey-silks-and-horse-racing-history/101275154/
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/04/29/Silk-maker-outfits-Derby-stars/1224515131200/