Last year when we were in the area we didn’t get a chance to visit Churchill Downs so that was our destination today. There aren’t any races going on now but the museum is open. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the museum. We started checking out the displays when the 360 degree movie started so we headed in. The movie gives you a feeling of Derby Day. This year over 150,000 people attended the Kentucky Derby. I didn’t know that Derby activities cover about 2 weeks leading up to race day. There is a queen of the Derby.
Most of the women deck themselves out and wear hats to the race.
The day before the Derby is the Kentucky Oaks, a race for fillies. The day before that is Opening Day for Churchill Downs. A lot of people go through this place in three days.
The Derby has been run for 137 years. Of all the winners only 13 have won the Triple Crown. There hasn’t been a Triple Crown winner since the 70’s.
Part of the museum fees also includes a short walking tour that takes you out to the track and grandstands.
You also have a chance to visit a retired racehorse and Winston, a miniature horse. It is Winston’s house, they change the racehorse every few months.
We really enjoyed the museum. When we were done with the walking tour and the bottom floor of the museum, we decided to have lunch in the café. The food was very, very good. I had a chicken salad sandwich and Bill had a BBQ pork sandwich. They were both served with chips. We didn’t get a mint julep but they did have them on the menu. I would recommend this café to anyone.
At the gift shop they had some neat looking hats. I could just see my daughter-in-law, Aimee, wearing one of these and dressed to the 9’s, sipping a Mint Julep.
After lunch we went upstairs where they had exhibits on the jockeys, owners, trainers and other back stage people. All in all, I think we spent about 3 hours here.
Enjoy all the pictures.
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