Louisville 5

At the Kentucky Derby Museum, there's usually a Thoroughbred or two hanging around. This one was camera shy and refused to pose for the papparazzi. I caught a glimpse of her companion, an adorable miniature horse who was equally determined to avoid any photo op.

Back inside the Kentucky Derby Museum, there are many exhibits to see. The interactive ones are particularly interesting. There are even hands-on activities for kids.

Love those Derby Day hats? There are two display cases full of hats worn at previous Derbies. Here's a sampling of lovely chapeaus:

I got to meet last year's Derby winner, Animal Kingdom. Okay, so maybe we only met in a strange, wax museum sort of way.

There's an area that features vintage Derby duds and tack.

I loved this special exhibit honoring one of the most famous jockeys ever...Willie Shoemaker. The materials were recently donated to the museum by his daughter. Sadly, Willie lived his last few years in a wheelchair, paralyzed after a terrible car accident.

It's hard to believe how anyone could fit into that little white suit. Hubby stands next to the exhibit for purposes of perspective.

Several horses that ran in the Derby are buried at Churchill Downs. Particularly poignant is this monument that stands above the remains of a little filly called Eight Bells. She shattered two legs so badly during the race that she had to be humanely euthanized right on the track.

All in all, the Kentucky Derby Museum was well worth the price of admission. If you ever travel to Louisville, and you love beautiful horses...be sure to check it out.

We'll be back to our regular programming next blog!

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Continuing with our tour of the Kentucky Derby Museum...

We are now on the pathway to the track. Guess owners and trainers need a gentle reminder (see sign).

The light at the end of this tunnel is bright sunshine on the Churchill Downs track. It must be a moment that truly prompts the heart to pound harder, whether human or horse. Note the ground surface. It looks like pavers, but is made of recycled tires that cushion a Thoroughbreds' prancing walk.

Across the track is the famous winner's circle. This area is used only on Derby Day. It looks pretty tame now, but if you've ever watched the race, you know how many people are crammed into the space.

The fancy boxes on top are known as "Millionaire's Row", where all the celebrities hang out. Even for them, Derby Day is a no credit or debit card event. Can you imagine how many stacks of cash must be piled on the table up there?

How about these lovely front row sections of green folding chairs? On Derby Day, once you tally up all the associated costs, anyone can buy a section for a mere guaranted $6,000. Bleachers are slightly cheaper. Or take your life and liberty in your own hands and opt for standing room only in outer fields of the track. According to our guide, it's a wild place to party...and the perfect opportunity to use that "get out of jail free" card.



The Derby is known for it's towers (the twin to this one is on the right) and...

arguably the most famous finish line in horse racing.

We'll wrap up our tour next time, back inside the museum.

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The tour continues with apologies from our guide. She's been a terrible slacker this week.

Let's assemble for the walking tour. Outside the museum is an enormous courtyard where the crowd will enter on race day. It has covered areas that carry the names of every Kentucky Derby winner since the race was first run in 1875. Never once through wars, Depression, or even weather events, has the Derby been canceled. All Triple Crown winner names are etched in gold.

Some ticket sales go on at this building. The names of every Kentucky Derby winner are also listed on the name plates at the top of the building.

Here's where the horses will stand as they are saddled. Then the jockeys mount their steeds before being led to the track and more than 150,000 spectators. It's a broiling hot day, but the flowers still look fresh as springtime.

More on Derby Day next post!

Louisville-Part 2

Here we are back at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville. Please proceed to your left where you will find the museum entrance.

Once inside the lobby area, it's time to choose your tour. We did the general admission which is $10 per person. If you have more time, for an additional charge you can add the Barn and Backside Tour, the Behind the Scenes Tour, or the Horses and Haunts Tour.

First we took our seats for "The Greatest Race" movie. The screen is wrapped around a large oval room. We sat on small plastic stool-type seats that allowed us to turn when a scene appeared to the right, to the left, or even behind us. The 17 minute film started with a Thoroughbred foal being nudged to its feet by his mother that definitely put a lump in my throat. But to me the most thrilling part of all was the Derby Day scene. It's a 360 degree shot of the crowd and the track, making us feel we were really present at the Derby, surrounded by thousands of cheering fans.

Next post, we'll do the walking tour!

Louisville

A couple of weeks ago, Hubby and I spent time in Louisville. When Hubby wasn't in his workshop sessions, and I wasn't writing, we found time to have a little fun. Without question my favorite "down time" activity was a trip to:

You guessed it. We visited Churchill Downs.

I've always wanted to attend the Kentucky Derby, which takes place in May every year at Churchill Downs. On Derby Day I like to sit in front of the television and watch some of the most beautiful horses in the world as they participate in the pre-race parade. The haunting and bittersweet song, "My Old Kentucky Home" is sung while the horses prance on the track in nervous anticipation. It's as though they know this isn't an ordinary race. I think it's one of the most beautiful moments in sports. 

On our visit, we didn't see a race take place. No such activities occur at Churchill Downs over the hot summer months.  But the next best thing is checking out the Kentucky Derby Museum. It's open year round.

The above image is a statue of Barbaro, the valiant bay colt that came to the Derby in 2006. Barbaro had won every race he ever ran prior to the Derby. A heavy favorite, he went on to win the Derby, too, and not by a small margin. Hopes were high for him to become the next Triple Crown winner. But at the Preakness, Barbaro suffered a catastrophic injury, breaking his fetlock in 3 places. Months later, after multiple surgeries to save his life, Barbaro had to be euthanized. His remains lie at the base of this bronze statue which is placed at the entrance to Churchill Downs. His owners wanted the public to see his monument without requiring the price of admission to the museum. The piece captures Barbaro in action, flying with all four hooves above the ground.

But that's not all. Next time I'll share more about what we found inside the museum.