Keeneland

Last Friday Rich and I headed over to Keeneland Race Track for the final day of the spring runs. The weather was gorgeous and down right hot. I love the beauty and elegance of Keeneland. It is a 15 minute drive from our home and is located across the street from Blue Grass Airport. Their big race of the year is the Blue Grass Stakes which is considered a warm up race for the Kentucky Derby contenders. That race was run on April 12, 2008.Keeneland brings out a nicer looking bunch of Kentucky folks than what you find at Churchill Downs. The men are required to wear a suit coat and tie to sit in the grandstand. While the women did not wear many hat, sundresses were a plenty. Keeneland is much smaller than Churchill Downs which allows you to get up close to the horses. Before each race they walk the horses in the front. It really helps you grasp how beautiful, elegant and powerful these animals are. People crowd in close checking their racing sheets.
They put the number and racing saddle on the horse. The total width of the saddle from the bottom of each flap and across the seat is 20 inches. They are very tiny and lightweight. The jockey does not sit in the saddle, but stays perched over the horse's shoulders. Just before the race the jockeys come out on the area of grass on the left side. About 10 minutes before post time they walk the horse across the walkway to the left side where the jockeys are waiting. The Jockeys racing silks and matching horse blinkers are the most outstanding trademark of any horse owner, horse trainer, or horse racing jockey. The selection of colors or pattern make the horse and rider easier to identify at a distance. Although these shirts were once made of silk -- hence the name -- they are now made of a light weight nylon material. Brynn and I proudly hold up our ticket showing our $2.00 bet on #11.They load the horses into the gates. They started this race on beyond the turn in the track, so we watched it on the large screen.Here they come down the stretch. Horse #11 was in first place for 1/2 the race, but fell behind to third at the finish line.

Here is the winner #5 after the race. They weigh the jockey to make sure they didn't throw any weight and then the race is official.
We spent the day with some Kentucky royalty. Here is UK men's basketball head coach Billy Gillispie.Here's the coach chatting up former UK and NBA star Dan Issel. Dan played for the ABA Kentucky Colonel's in the early 1970's and the NBA Denver Nuggets from the mid 70's until 1985. Only Rich would know these cool basketball facts!
A very pleasant and memorable afternoon in Lexington!