Louisville Tag

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.

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.

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

The 138th Running of the Kentucky Derby will take place on May 5, 2012. There is no other event in the world that offers more exciting moments than the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

2012 Kentucky Derby Packages are Now Available with Low Deposits!

2012 Kentucky Derby Packages are available for first time guests and experienced attendees. Enjoy the Derby with these great inclusions:

- Hotel accommodations in the Louisville area
- Guaranteed Tickets to the 2012 Kentucky Derby
- Transportation to Churchill Downs on race day
- Selected Meals
- Options on Kentucky Oaks Tickets, Welcome Receptions, & Ticket Upgrades

Sports Traveler is also offering Horse Farm Tours to the 2012 Kentucky Derby. These packages provide you with a behind the scenes look at various horse farms in the Lexington area during the week of Derby.

Kentucky Derby Horse Farm Tour Packages offer many great amenities including:

- Deluxe Accommodations in the Lexington area
- Guaranteed Tickets to the Kentucky Oaks & Derby

While the Kentucky Derby (and Oaks) is the crown jewel of Louisville, the party starts wellbefore the races. Several exciting events dot the calendar in the weeks leading up to the most exciting 2 minutes in sports.

The first thing to do before landing in Louisville is learn how to pronounce the name of the city...unless you enjoy getting the evil eye from the locals. It's correctly pronounced "LOO-uh-ville"...not "LOO-iss-ville" or "LOOY-ville."  Can't pronounce the pronunciations? Click here for the audio pronunciation.

On Friday, April 29th, the Great Balloon Rush-Hour Race is set for a hopeful 7 a.m. start, weather permitting of course. During the rally, balloon pilots chase a "hare" balloon and attempt to drop bags of Kentucky Bluegrass seed as close to a target on the ground as possible. Take a look here for several other hot air balloon-related events, including "The Glimmer" which takes place at night.

A few days before the Derby on Wednesday, May 4th a race of a different

With a capacity of 150,000 people, there are many seating options at Churchill Downs. Many people have a difficult time trying to decide on where to sit. Guess what, I don't blame you. For most people, attending the Kentucky Derby has been a dream and when it comes to where to sit, of course you want the best possible section.

Before you go ahead and purchase your Kentucky Derby seats, let me help make the decision much easier for you!

1. Clubhouse vs. Grandstand Seating: This seems to be the most popular question with people making their first trip to the Derby. The Grandstand offers standard bleacher seating with no backs, however, the Clubhouse offers seating with chair backs. Keep in mind that the Clubhouse seating is A LOT more comfortable than the Grandstand. The Clubhouse also offers better amenities including more food & drink options, plus easier access to the betting tables and restrooms.

   Clubhouse seating is located closer to the finish line in sections 111-118, 212, 218, 220,

The Kentucky Derby cannot be compared to any other event in North America. The thrill of the horses coming down the finish line, the ambiance of Churchill Downs, or the taste of a freshly made mint julep makes this event second to none.

Sports Traveler is offering NEW Packages to the Kentucky Derby!

The new Kentucky Derby Packages offer more options and includes the following amenities:

- Accommodations in the Louisville area
- Your Choice of Seating to the Kentucky Derby & Oaks
- Roundtrip Transfers to Churchill Downs
- Various Meals
- Options on Rental Cars & Derby Club Passes

View 2011 Kentucky Derby Packages

Start booking your 2011 Breeders Cup Packages at famous Churchill Downs. See the best horses in the racing circuit in Louisville, Kentucky next November 4-5.

Deposits are now available as low as $29 per person