Churchhill Downs

Hi all!

We had a marvelous Thanksgiving/Vacation and I'll be updating the blog with posts for the rest of the week! But first, the easiest blog of our most photographed experience!

Here are are at america's longest running game's stadium - Churchill Downs!

And this horse, Barbaro won in 2007 (I believe), however shortly thereafter broke his legs. He is apparently cremated and his remains are here, along with a quote from Eric Liddel on the back. Curious and interesting.

Here are on the walking tour! Here are the betting stands and our tour guide who was utterly impressive in his knowledge of all things Kentucky Derby:

This horse won in 1915, a girl-horse (filly?) - whose owner named her regret upon her birth. I also think it is interesting this is near the betting stands....

This is the paddock next to the stands, with rubber bricks to protect the horses feet!

Ah yes, War Admiral, a Triple Crown winner - and of course a foe of Seabiscuit. Regardless, he apparently was a wonderful horse. 

The Steeples! A big deal apparently.

Here is the paddock, where horses are walked around ONCE before the Derby. Based upon that walk around, many place their bets. 

This is the greatest and fastest winningest horse of them all. I now need to see the movie. 

Here we are walking out to the track!

Being weighted on the same scale the jockies are weighed on! Smiling because of the experience.... not because of the news. [Funny thing, the scale in the museum was about 10 lbs lighter... hm...]

Jon is enjoying the experience as well :o)

I just thought this was interesting, particularly thinking the message it brings to so many jockies!

The racetrack! Pretty cool...

So, to get six chairs in one of these boxes, will cost you 3,000 on race day. And they are metal chairs!

Here you can see them all lined up. The stands up further are entitled "Millionaire's Row" for obvious reasons. 

Track! Winners circle is behind me.

I doubt anywhere else in the world you can see a sign like this.

Jon crossing the finish line! (it is the old finish line they keep on display)

This is the name of the miniature horse they keep in the stables next to the big horse, who came in second a few years ago.

Here he is! And the back side of the big horse. So cute! (the little horse, not the back side!) Parks and Recreation fans anyone?

There is the information on the big horse if you are actually interested...

It was such a neat experience, and so utterly unique to Kentucky. More about the museum next!