Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs

Kentucky's horse racing history dates back to 1789 when the first race course was laid out in Lexington.  Almost a 100 years later, in 1875 the Churchill Downs Racetrack officially opened and began it's tradition as "Home of the Kentucky Derby".  And did you know that the entire 155,000 plus in attendance at the annual derby sing "My Old Kentucky Home" as the horses and riders enter the track in single file.

First view.  This place is huge.  We entered this complex from the top left behind the bandstand area that you see the backside of above. 

 We took a walking tour first of the grounds around the bandstands, then an hour van tour of the area in the very bottom center of the picture below.  You see only 5 buildings but in fact it's much bigger.  There are over 40 stables and a capacity to house 1400 horses.  This is a busy place.

It's hard to imagine thousands and thousands of people milling around in their finest clothes and hats watching races from the paddocks in front of the bandstands below and the inner field.

Barbaro was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2006 Kentucky Derby, by lengths.  Two weeks later, during the Preakness Stakes, he shattered his leg, ending his racing career.  His injuries eventually lead to his death.  A tragic end to a glorious and beautiful horse.





How thrilling would this be?

The museum continues above on the second floor, see above the 360 movie screen.  Below are a few pictures I took during the movie.

 Look at the masses of people inside the race track.

Every Derby winner is posted along the building.  Secretariat is the last to win the Triple Crown in 1973.

The famous spires.

The Winner's Circle

These 20 bays hold the Thoroughbreds prior to the big race.  Every horse in the Kentucky Derby has one shot at winning.  Only 3 year old Thoroughbreds can race and obviously a horse is only 3 once.

A beautiful Magnolia with a hungry bee.

This is Windsor, a minature pony.

This is Risen Warrior, a Dark Bay Gelding.

 One of the many Thoroughbreds at the stables.  These balls of hay are hung outside the doors.

Horse leggings are for protection against other horses hooves.  This is laundry day, between races.

Panorama of the bandstand from the stable area.

 Millionaire's Row

Back in the museum after the van tour of the barns and backside of the park we see lots of interesting exhibits, including these paintings.

Of course there were some hats to try on.

It's Sister Bertrill.  

I think Larry is wondering too hard about all this.

Pretty Lady

Ready for lift off!

Bill Shoemaker was really tiny.

 Larry, Bill and I raced on these beautiful horses.  I won, Bill came in 5th, and Larry 6th.  But only three horses...hmmmm.

We were starving after all the walking and viewing so on a tip from the van tour driver we went to the trainers, riders and staff's favorite restaurant on the backside of the stables.  Wagner's has been in business since 1922 with great home-cooked meals.  Walk through the restaurant and there's a pharmacy for the horses with liniments, oils and meds.



Larry and Gail waiting for their lunches.

 Bill and Susan waiting for theirs.

One of a kazillion pictures on the walls.

We drove through town on our way back to the Eagles, going past the University of Kentucky, home of the Cardinals.

Downtown Louisville's Train Station.

The end of an amazing and very interesting day.

Thanks for visiting, come back soon.