Horse Racing Blog

Rolling hills, beautiful scenery, and equine history await when you choose to stay in Lexington, Kentucky during the most popular horse racing week in the United States. Staying in Lexington has become one of our most popular tours and for good reason. Travelers can enjoy a laid back atmosphere, away from the hustle of downtown Louisville during Derby Week and instead relax during the evenings over looking the rolling hills of the legendary Blue Grass Country.

How to plan your trip:

Consider staying three or four nights in Lexington to fully experience everything the area has to offer during Derby Week. Our Lexington Kentucky Derby Packageincludes lodging at the Embassy Suites Lexington, located close to area highlights including area horse farms, bourbon distilleries, and downtown Lexington.

Lexington - Kentucky Derby Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Lexington. It's easy to fly into Blue Grass Airport (LEX). In the evening, relax at the hotel or take a quick cab ride to downtown Lexington

The history, the hats, the spectacle of the Kentucky Derby... There really isn't another sporting event in the world that combines all of this together into a weekend fit for nearly any type of sports fan. Let's talk about how we can get you to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, and maybe not even have to break your piggy bank.

There are a few ways to plan your trip, depending on what type of experience you want to have. Let's go through a few of the options.

The Budget Minded Fan: Kentucky Derby tickets, ala carte hotel room, rental car
Choose Kentucky Derby Tickets in one of the 1st Floor Grandstand Sections. You won't be able to see the entire track but you will be close to the horses and that view is actually pretty cool. TV's are stationed throughout Churchill Downs so you won't miss a minute of the races. Booking your hotel room during the Derby weekend can be tricky, but opting for something in the Louisville East area is a good budget option. Prepare of a bit of a

Ok ladies, one week to go before the 2015 Kentucky Derby and many of you are in "Hat Panic". There is only one thing more important that your Kentucky Derby Ticket  if you are a lady and that is your Kentucky Derby Hat. But finding the right kind of hat can be impossible, especially if you don't live in the state of Kentucky. Below are my top picks for Derby Worthy Hats that can be bought online - and are available for Rush Delivery!

Uno Alla Volta: Unoallavolta.com/carole

I love these simple designs that will look good on nearly every lady. These are my fav's:

"The Minetta": $180.00 USD
I think this is the ultimate in Derby Hat Glamor. It's elegant and a true show-stopper hat.

"The Leslie" of New York: $120.00 USD
It's simple, red, black, and white. Plus who doesn't love the red roses on the side? This is the perfect Run for the Roses hat!

"The Marina": $180.00 USD
This one is for the brave! A beautiful straw sunhat with one big pink flower!

I now follow a horse on Twitter and Facebook. But this isn’t just any horse, he is the great Little Silver Charm. I met him for the first time on the farm where he is spending his “retirement years”, Old Friends, an equine retirement center home located in Georgetown, Kentucky, just outside of Lexington.

Old Friends is home to many past Derby winners and race horses, but the real star is Little Silver Charm or 'Charmie' as he's known to his thousands of followers and fans (follow him on Twitter or his Facebook page). He was a rescue show pony who today considers himself an entertainer.

He’s a blonde, loves kids, carrots, and plays soccer in YouTube videos.  He often talks about his crush, a horse named Zenyatta, and he seems to enjoy posing for quite a few pictures that are auctioned off to benefit Old Friends. He even has his own miniature replica toy available on Ebay.

It seems like just last week we were anxiously waiting for the Belmont Stakes in hopes that I'll Have Another could complete the first Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978.  As fate would have it the Triple Crown was not meant to be and I'll Have Another was pulled from the race with an injury.  Now we embark on a new journey.  Tomorrow will mark the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY.  Louisville has already had the pleasure of crowning a national champion in college basketballand just 1 month later the city finds itself amidst intense excitement once again.

The Kentucky Derby has long been one of the most exciting events in sports and this year will be no different.  The field appears to be wide open with a the usual group favorites.  I have provided our readers with odds and post position for each of the Derby contestants.

Louisville, KY has been the home to the premiere North-American horse race for well over a century and the tradition continues in 2013.  This year the Kentucky Derby will be held on Saturday, May 4th.  It is also important to note that the Kentucky Oaks will take place on Friday, May 3 as a precursor to the Kentucky Derby.  Doesn't it seem hard to believe that we are just a few months away from the running of the first leg of the horse racing triple crown?

There will much anticipation for the 2013 edition of the Kentucky Derby after the run by I'll Have Another in 2012.  I'll Have Another swept through the first 2 legs of the triple crown but had to pull out of the Belmont Stakes at the last minute.  It seemed hard to think that we wouldn't have a triple crown in 2012 but fate directed us down another path.  Our desires for a triple crown winner were teased to the point of aggravation.  I can't speak for everyone but I know myself and others close to me were very disappointed in the busted triple crown opportunity.  I know that year to year the Derby and the triple crown races share no common thread but I can't help but get excited for another prospective year for the triple crown.  It would seem only fitting after Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Carbera won baseball's triple crown for the first time since 1967.

Earlier this year the horse racing world missed out an opportunity for a Triple Crown winner in a most unfortunate manner.  The outcome was clearly the best and healthiest choice for the horse but no one likes to see a chance at history hindered by an injury.  The run for the Triple Crown might be over but there is still exciting racing left in 2012.

In just a couple of months the 29th annual running of the Breeders Cup will get underway on November 2nd.  The Breeders Cup is currently and has historically been the richest North American horse race.  Last year the total amount of winnings came to 25.5 million and that has been the total purse since the additions of 3 races in 2008.

I'll Have Another put on another spectacular display this past weekend at the Preakness Stakes and now the horse has a chance to reach horse racing immortality.  I'll Have Another must have watched a replay of his Derby win right before the race because the final stretch was a reenactment of the horse's victory at Churchill Downs.  Beating out Bodemeister in just the last few strides.

With less than one month before the 2012 Kentucky Derby, I answered the phone at Sports Traveler last week to hear this on the other line:

“Um, I’m attending the Kentucky Derby with your company and um… I have a silly question… What should I wear? I mean, I need a hat, but I don’t know where to begin to figure this out. No stores sell hats like that around here. Can you help me!?!”

Oh sister, I hear you. I live in Chicago and the only hats that they sell here seem to be stocking hats for winter!

When I went to my first Derby I was so excited - that was until I started worrying about what I was going to wear. The panic first started when I viewed this website: http://www.kentuckyderby.com/party/style/red-carpet