Trip to Keeneland
 

I've neer been to Keeneland but plan to go soon (Sumwonlovesyou)

A friend is going. He's in his late 20's

any do's and don'ts at Keeneland as far as at the track?

I forgot to ask how long he plans on staying

Honestly, and I love Keeneland and Lexington, try NOT to go on Bluegrass Day. It is the most impossibly crowded day imaginable. The place is just too small for all those people.

But, definitely go, it's great.

And, oh yeah, avoid the burgoo.

When you pull in to the track and you're facing the track, park in the last row all the way to your left. Back up to the fence bordering the grassy area and get there a couple of hours before the first. Great tailgating area with great tailgaters. Met some real characters there.

Andy

I am still somewhat baffled by Formulator4 having the value you tout (maybe a little strong use of the word as I know there is no reimbursement for you)....but I picked up "Formulator for Dummies" or "trainer angles"...have you read it and what do you think of it??

Where would you fly into, to have the best travel to KEE.

And if I might ask where would you stay if you wanted to enjoy the stay......not the cheepest place but not the Taj of Kentucky either???

I usually go at least once every meet but didn't make it last fall. I recommend going on a weekday and getting there when the gate opens. You MUST walk the grounds and take it all in. It's like being next to God...If god was a gambling degenerate.

Well put, I miss the days with no track announcer

Keeneland was originally built as a training track on the Keene farm, so it faces west; no sun in eyes of observers on the clubhouse lawn during morning works. Well, when it was turned into a racetrack, the stands were put on the same side as the clubhouse, so in late afternoon, you are trying to watch races looking into the sun; it beats onto the apron and parts of the stands, too. Bring shades and a hat if you don't like squinting hard.

Keeneland originally had a capacity of about 14-15K max and although improvements have increased space, it still gets very crowded on weekends, when it can attract 20K+. The crowd tends to be a bit younger than average, since a lot of UK students cut classes to come out whenever the weather is anywhere near decent. Coed watching a frequent male pursuit.

Keeneland must be about the only track left that has an open barn area - no sign in or security gates. Because the area has to be open for sales, I suppose. Go early and wander around some. Look for stable logos and who knows? you may see some stars. (There are plently of grooms and such around, so ask if you want know if that is 'somebody'; but don't annoy anybody obviously busy.)

If your arteries can take it, come real early and eat breakfast in the track kitchen; you never know who will be at the next table. "I had breakfast with Nick Zito, you know." Civilians welcome.

I second this...
but it sure does smell good esp. on rainy spring mornings when the wind is blowing and the only people at the track are a bunch of old men...and me:o

The good thing about the burgoo is you can share it with your friends and they don't even have to take a bite of it.

I second that, ate there many times working the Keeneland Sales, you might never who will join you at your table. For the most part they all are very friendly.

I will ignore the Formulator question for now if you don't mind.

As for Keeneland, I usually fly into Cinncinnati as I have few available direct flights to Lexington, and as I hate flying, prefer not to switch planes.

As for staying there, the Hyatt or Radisson downtown is fine. Book in advance.

Jacket and tie are absolutely required in the Clubhouse, and NO denim whatsoever. That's something I really wish I had known before my first Keeneland visit...

No burgoo @ KEE.. Check.

No cobbler @ SAR.. Check.

Anything else?

You and the rest of Lexington.

No Gary Sciacca horses on any of my tickets.


You happy now?

I'm safe...no one wants me in the clubhouse:p

That gives the two of you something in common.

I wear a tux so I standout from the rest of the $10,000 millionaires.

I KNEW IT!

Trust me, the Kentucky gentry weren't too pleased with me being there, but one of my best friends is from Lexington and can get me in- and that year I went Bluegrass weekend, and it was a godssend. My two friends were unprepared for the clothing issue, though, and had to buy ties and "rent" kelly green sports coats... and one of them, who is Greek, turned at one point to say "I am the closest thing to a person of color in this entire place."

But that's a whole other conversation.

I assure you the only color the folks at Keeneland care about is green.

That's it.. You've had your LAST Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich..

He must not have seen KYRIM in her purple Burka w/ the Sheikhs like PP did.

that is however, the one drawback to KEE...they take themselves VERY seriously.

And when it is cold and rainy and the wind is blowing, it is always 10 degrees colder at Keeneland than it is in town. Dress accordingly.

But when the sun shines and the pink and white dogwoods are in bloom....,

It's the only color they see, there's a difference.

no offense steve but that looks about as appealing as what Paisley puked up yesterday

Quick....save it for the Carolina Bar-B-Q.

too late ...my dad's dog "recycled" it.

And eat the bread pudding, too <g>

Lexington is a smallish town, so travel times are not really that significant (on weekends traffic backs up trying to get into the track on Versailles Rd).

Fly into Bluegrass Airport, it's physically small, easy to get in and out of, right across the street from the track.

Second choice is to fly into Northern Ky Airport (Cincinnati, but on the south, KY side of the Ohio) - you can come down I-75, it will take you an easy hour to get to Lex. Louisville is third choice, little farther, an hour plus from Lex.

Look at a map or mapquest, notice New Circle Road encircling the city - I'd first try to get a room at one of the hotels at Exit 115 - I-75 and 922-Newtown Pike (try LaQuinta first it's nice, then Holiday Inn, etc., Embassy and Marriot Resort are there but more expensive, but the Marriot is worth $159 night, it's a beautiful five-star w/golf course, and alot of the horse folks stay there, fried green tomatos are great - just do it <G>) - close to the Horse Park, the horse farms.

Then go to the southwest and south side of the city - stay on New Circle before you go to off Man O' War Blvd. for travel time ease. Just avoid the east and far southeast side if you can, travel times will be a bit long and it's just suburbia hell down there. Day's Inns, Red Roofs, etc.

Try to get a room anywhere west of Tates Creek Road on the south side for travel time ease. Downtown, or just south of downtown, is fine too. The independent hotels (Springs, etc) are clean and good in that area.

You can also get reasonably priced rooms during Kee at the 8-10 hotels at I-75 and Rt 62 in Georgetown, very quick to zip (10 minutes?) down I-75 to Newtown Pike, and then straight into the track via New Circle and Versailles Rd. (Best Western, Ivy, Microtel, etc)

The clubhouse is a real club - you have to be a member or guest of a member to get in. Us hoi polloi can only get reserved seats or haunt the apron. BUT, the clubhouse is 'way up the stretch and grandstand seats are at the finish line, unlike any other track I know of.

But if you have a box, Kee provides appropriate white sun parasols for use .... :)

That's not entirely true. The clubhourse restaurants encompass the entire top floor. There is a great room to have lunch in that is pretty much right above the finish line.

Oh yeah... my appetite is really kicking now. :eek:

damn thats cold....

omg beth.. that almost made me lose my lunch

My puppy has been trying to eat deer pellets lately. Then I chased her and she ran into the bird feeder and re-injured her leg. Now I feel bad about it.

shame...dads dog woulda thanked you for the seconds.

oh dear lord someone save me from this madness!

he would have...but he might have knocked you over trying to get to the pile first...no worries though because when he was finished he would totally give you a kiss on your face to say he was sorry:eek: