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Home , Calumet Farm, Churchill Downs, Derby Pie, Display (horse), Fusaichi Pegasus, Go for Gin

IIDEA GGUIDE TRADITIONS

Louisville Has the Race, Visitors Center 21 5West Main Street Lexington, KY 40507 But Lexington Has the Reason (859) 233-7299 or (800) 845-3959 www.visitlex.com

Louisville has the race, but Lexington is the place What about the race? where Derby dreams originate — and where Derby Many of the Bluegrass traditions that relate to the legacies continue long after the have crossed the — such as farm tours and the finish line at . Those who have been to — can be enjoyed throughout the Louisville’s Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in year. The race itself, of course, happens just once a year, May know that the Kentucky Derby is the “most excit- always on the first Saturday in May. ing two minutes in sports.” But you haven’t really expe- If you’re planning to attend the race in Louisville, rienced it until you visit Lexington, the Bluegrass city 68 keep in mind that on Derby Day, Louisville’s Churchill miles east of Louisville. Downs is packed from the infield to the rafters with an As the center of the world horse eclectic mass of humanity — usually about 150,000 peo- industry, Lexington is where the ple. So expect long lines for any Bluegrass Note: A Derby horse carries with it world’s top racehorses are bred, endeavor, including just getting down the homestretch the hopes and efforts of born, trained, officially regis- dozens of people who have been a part of its to your seat. Actually, unless you tered, bought and sold, retired life: the night watchman at the foaling barn; are a box-holder or know some- and buried. And it’s been that the stable hand who helped pull the foal; the one who is, you probably won’t attendant who led the horse into the sales way since before there even was have a seat. Most clubhouse and ring; the groom who feeds and cares for the a Kentucky Derby. horse daily; and the exercise rider. The grandstand boxes are renewed In Lexington and the sur- Kentucky horse industry is responsible for from year to year, and the track rounding , you more than 55,000 direct and indirect jobs, receives tens of thousands of can visit previous Derby champi- from artists to veterinarians. competing requests for the few ons or perhaps catch a glimpse of that become available each year. a future winner on the world’s most famous and beauti- (If you want to try, sign up with Churchill Downs on ful horse farms. their website. But don’t hold your breath waiting. This You can see firsthand how are read- is a real longshot.) ied to make their run for glory. Join sheiks, millionaires For most people, the Derby Day option in Louisville and royalty at the world’s most prestigious horse is $80-per-person general admission. This means auctions. See, feel and even taste Derby traditions. And standing-room-only near the paddock area or braving enjoy a special vantage point on America’s most famous the infield. If you are planning to attend the race in horse race. Louisville, it’s a good idea to check out accommodations in Lexington. You’re likely to find more options, and more reasonable prices — and it’s only a little over an offers “drive-through” betting on Derby hour’s interstate drive to Louisville. Day.

Enjoy the Derby the Bluegrass way. And how about a Derby Day celebration As an alternative to battling the throngs at Churchill with the Governor? Downs on Derby Day, many locals enjoy attending No matter how late you party Derby Eve, you’ll want races earlier in Derby week, and then find a more civi- to get up in time for the first race — and maybe even lized vantage point for the Run for the Roses. earlier than that. The Governor of Kentucky is expect- The world’s largest Derby party is at Lexington’s ing you. famous Keeneland Race Course (4201 Versailles Road, A big public Derby celebration in Kentucky’s capital, 859-254-3412) and has become a tradition itself. The Frankfort (27 miles west of Lexington via I-64), has track’s pastoral setting and relaxed atmosphere is a been a Kentucky tradition since the 1930s. This year, the perfect place to enjoy Old Capitol is the focus of activity, and downtown Bluegrass Note: Although the race. The betting restaurants are offering breakfast specials. A free Thoroughbred horse farms are windows are open, located state-wide, the largest concert features bands from across the Commonwealth and official souvenir concentration-not only in on the stage directly in front of the Old State Capitol. glasses are Kentucky, but in the world-is in Kentucky artists will be exhibiting and selling their Lexington and the surrounding available. You can work. The event usually runs from around 9 a.m. to 1 Bluegrass counties of view all the races of Bourbon, Scott, Jessamine p.m. Call the Franklin County Tourism and Convention the day on monitors and Woodford. The 2017 Commission at 502-875-8687 for more information. indoors, or super Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm large-screen TVs Directory listed 465 farms in Year-round, spot a slew of past winners. those counties. outside. Of course, Derby Day isn’t the only time to see a Derby winner you won’t see any live horses thunder past, but then, nei- in Lexington. Just as Hollywood has its “homes of the ther do a lot of the people at that other track on the first stars,” the Bluegrass has the homes of the champions. Saturday in May. Most of the living Kentucky Derby winners are stabled Spread a picnic blanket in the paddock or walking ring at the beautiful farms surrounding Lexington. and enjoy barbecue or chicken from the outdoor grills. Policies on viewing celebrity horses vary from farm to Or, if picnicing is not your style, tables can be reserved farm. Some farms are open only to breeders. Others are in one of the dining rooms or at open to general visitors by the Sales Pavilion Dining Hall, Bluegrass Note: Lexington is home to the appointment. But with a little official registry of all Thoroughbred horses, where many partygoers dress planning, you can see most of The American Stud Book kept by The their tables with elaborate dec- Club. One of the most high-profile aspects of the Derby champs. Just be sure orations. the registry is the naming process. Name to call first— and as far in A great outing for the whole applications go through comprehensive advance as possible. Make family, Derby Day at screening processes to make sure they meet arrangements through a local Jockey Club rules. (www.jockeyclub.com) Keeneland has popcorn and tour company or through special activities for the kids, a www.visithorsecountry.com hat contest for the adults and live music for everybody Here’s where you’ll find past Derby winners in the throughout the day. Bluegrass: You might want to participate in the late-morning q (1997) and (2002), handicapping seminar before you lay down your bet on Old Friends at Dream Chase Farm near Georgetown the big race. Experts will teach you the science, or art, (502-863-1775); of picking a winner. If all you need is a place to bet on q Go For (1994) and (2003), both the race, try out a unique wagering experience -- reside at the Kentucky Horse Park; q Triple Crown winner (2018), Triple Crown also the exciting possibility of spotting a future winner (2015) and champion amid the gangly-legged foals frolicking in the (2000) are at Ashford Stud near Versailles; spring meadows. q (2007) stands at stud at Jonabell, Derby time is at the height of the January to July home of the Darley stallions in America. Animal foaling season. Three years down the road, one of these Kingdom (2011) and (2016) are also at Jonabell; frisky youngsters could be standing in the winner’s circle q (2010) is at WinStar Farm; at Churchill Downs. Through today, from , q (2014) makes his home at first Derby winner in 1875, to 2017 winner Always Taylor Made. Dreaming, about 80 percent of Derby winners were Stay tuned for information about Justify, the 2018 Triple bred in Kentucky. Crown winner from Kentucky! Contact VisitLEX, Lexington’s convention and visitors bureau, about guided and do-it-yourself tours of Derbies past and future on the horse farms. world’s most famous and fabulous horse farms. Go for history at the world’s first park Even if they aren’t currently the home of a former devoted to the horse. champion, Bluegrass horse farms are a sight see- You can look at a variety of Derby-related exhibits at ing, both for their beauty and the Kentucky Horse Park. This their tradition. Bluegrass Note: Fine horses and 1,200-acre farm complex devot- have always been important in Lexington (in The red and white buildings ed to all breeds of horses 1789 there were more horses than people). The of , for example, area’s central role in the Thoroughbred industry attracts over 900,000 visitors are as essential a part of Derby began during the Civil War, when horse each year. history as the twin spires of breeders in , the Carolinas and Near the park entrance, Churchill Downs. From moved their horses “west” for safety. there’s a life-size statue of 1973 They discovered that their horses thrived in the in 1941 to Strike the Bluegrass, thanks to lime inherently in the soil, Triple Crown winner Gold in 1991, Calumet bred a the gently rolling terrain and the favorable (right across from a record nine Kentucky Derby weather conditions. By the 1930s, the Lexington statue of the other horse known winners (and owned a record Herald-Leader had a standing offer to give as “Big Red,” Man o’ War, the subscribers free papers on any day that no eight). The late Henryk de greatest Thoroughbred who horse bred within a 50-mile radius of Lexington Kwiatkowski, a Polish-born avi- won a race at a major track – an event that no DIDN’T run in the Derby). ation executive purchased the one can remember ever happening. Secretariat’s Kentucky Derby farm in 1992, vowing to main- trophy is on at the tain its glorious reputation, and promising that it would Horse Park museum, along with memorabilia from never be “developed.” The farm is now owned by and other winners. Calumet Investment Group and operated by The grave of jockey Isaac Murphy at the park is a Thoroughbred owner and breeder Brad Kelly, rumored reminder of the Blue Note: The Maxwell H. to be one of the 10 largest land owners in America. important role Gluck Equine Research Even if you only drive by its Versailles Road location, African-Americans Center, on the University of you’ll get a sense of the ingredients of a quintessential played in the early Kentucky campus in Bluegrass horse farm – lush pastures, lovely barns, and days of the race. Lexington, is one of the lead- miles of plank fencing. Calumet’s famous trophy Fourteen of the 15 ing equine research facilities in the world. Tours for collection is on display at the Kentucky Horse Park’s riders in the first researchers and others with International Museum of the Horse. Derby were African- serious interest in equine It isn’t just nostalgia for great horses of the past that American, and science can be arranged. makes visiting Bluegrass horse farms so thrilling. There’s African-American (859-218-1089) jockeys won 15 of the race's first 28 runnings. Murphy, Pour the mint into your glass (preferably a who lived in Lexington, was the winning Derby rider in sterling silver julep cup), add 1 1/2 to 2 ounces of bour- 1884, 1890 and 1891. No other rider in history has even bon and mix. come close to matching his record of winning 44 percent Now fill the cup with crushed ice. Rub fresh mint of the races in which he rode. around the rim of the cup and garnish with fresh mint dipped in powdered sugar. Enjoy a taste of Derby tradition. If you would prefer to leave the mixing to someone Even candy comes in a Derby flavor in the Bluegrass. else, you can find mint juleps offered at many Lexington

You can take home some old-fashioned Blue Note: Derbygoers often restaurants and bars, especially at bourbon balls, chocolate Thoroughbreds agonize over what to wear, but lead- Derby time. Try Dudley’s, 259 and Kentucky Derby mints from Old ing stables around the world look to W. Short Street, or Merrick Inn, Kentucky Chocolates, 450 Southland Lexington’s Silks Unlimited to create 1074 Merrick Drive, both their jockey silks. Each stable’s Drive in Lexington. Kitchen tours are favorite hangouts of the horsey jacket and cap features its unique available (859-278-4444). and registered combination of design set. The drink requires fresh Another Derby-related treat is served and colors. Not actually silk, these mint, so Kentuckians drink this in local restaurants and sold in specialty one-size-fits-all outfits are available specialty primarily in the spring in nylon, a nylon-satin blend, and the food stores: Derby PieTM. This really is a and summer. Kentucky distillers latest wrinkle in Derby fashion – trademarked pie, with a very secret recipe. aerodynamic designs and fabrics. Buffalo Trace and Makers Mark (However, chocolate, nuts and sugar seem bottle ready-to-drink mint julep to be involved.) Kerns Kitchen of Louisville invented beverages, available at local liquor stores. the pie decades ago. Only those serving the real thing are allowed to use the name “” on menus. So a unique souvenir. when you see names like “Famous Horserace Pie” or In the Bluegrass, there are entire shops devoted to “Bluegrass Pie” on restaurant menus, it means they’re horse-related items. Name it, you can find it with a serving their own version of this Bluegrass classic. horse on it. Another Derby taste you may want to try while Gift shops at the Kentucky Horse Park and you’re in Kentucky is the mint julep. Keeneland are equine-souvenir havens. “The very dream of drinks,” as 19th Blue Note: Need a hat for your Your Frame of Mind, downtown at the Derby festivities? Don’t panic. century Lexington lawyer and literary Long-time Lexington ladie’s Lexington Center Shops, also holds stylist J. Soule Smith called it, is a mix- boutique Jerome can assist horsey treasures. Stop in at the Lexington ture of shaved ice, Kentucky bourbon, you. (859) 269-5753. Visitors Center at 215 West Main for sugar, water and fresh mint and is a Burlington Coat Factory always something related to Lexington’s famous carries a large selection of tradition long associated with the blue Big Lex! hats. (859) 268-2905. Both are Kentucky Derby. just off Richmond Road. Each year, Churchill Downs issues an Despite Smith’s contention that one official Kentucky Derby glass. You’ll find “who has not tasted one has lived in vain,” some modern the current year’s glass and other “official” souvenirs in day drinkers consider the mint julep better talked about Lexington gift shops around Derby time. Derby glasses than drunk. Despite its few ingredients, a proper julep from past years, by the way, are quite collectible, as are takes time and patience to make. Here’s a recipe from a silver and silver plate mint julep cups. Check out local famous Bluegrass hostess, : antique malls and shops for these and other mementos First, make a mint syrup. Bruise (crush with the from Derbies past. hands) a “whole handful” of mint leaves and combine them with 1/3 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Boil for five For more information minutes, then strain. You should end up with about 2 contact VisitLEX at (800) 845-3959. By Teresa Day, a freelance travel writer based in Lexington, KY tablespoons of mint syrup. Updated: February 2019