Kentucky Derby Tag

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

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.

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

We are now in the middle of August and our attention in the sports world is either on a pennant race in baseball or the start of good 'ol fashioned tackle football.  Soon the leaves will change color and the cool nights of fall will become more frequent.  Many sports fans across the country are anxiously awaiting the arrival of football but if excitement is what you seek then don't forget about the year-end championship of North American horse racing.

Over the last 10 years, we have witnessed many astonishing feats in the sports world.  Roger Federer won 16 Grand Slam Finals (and still counting) to surpass Pete Sampras for most in history, 6 no-hitters thrown during one season, Michael Phelps winning 8 gold medals in Beijing, and Brett Favre retiring 957 times.

However, during this time, we have not witnessed the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.  Actually, this feat last occurred back in 1978 when Affirmed won all three races. 

Over 164,000 people were at Churchill Downs on Saturday to see Animal Kingdom rally to win the 2011 Kentucky Derby. This was the largest crowd ever to see the Kentucky Derby.

2012 Kentucky Derby Tickets are Now Available!

2012 Kentucky Derby Tickets are available at all areas of Churchill Downs. Choose from seats in the first, second, or third floor grandstand or clubhouse. Options are also available for Millionaire's Row, Sky Terrace, Gold Room, Interior Premium, and Turf Club.

All tickets can be purchased securely online or by calling our office. All orders are 100% guaranteed.

View 2012 Kentucky Derby Tickets