Kentucky trip
 

I'm going to Kentucky for a vacation next week and have worked up a pretty good itinerary for the five full days that I'm there. I'm doing the usual tourist stuff - morning works and breakfast at Keeneland, Three Chimneys tour, Woodford Reserve tour, got a viewing scheduled with Invasor at Shadwell, Kentucky Horse Park visit, and the "behind the scenes" walking tour of Churchill. During the week I'll be staying at the Galt House, the Brown and the Storybook Inn. I have all day Friday and Saturday committed to being at Churchill from morning works until they kick me out (I've still got to bet on Golden Gate while I'm away).

The only thing my trip is missing, in my opinion, is a tour of Lane's End (they say they don't do tours during breeding season), I'd love to see A.P. Indy, Curlin and Lemon Drop Kid (he's one of my favorite sires right now, along with Orientate). Anyone have any connections that could get me and two friends in at Lane's End? Also, I would love to get to hang around the back side of Churchill to do some photography (my camera is going everywhere with me this trip) - will my California owners license get me access or am I too hopeful? And, needless to say, if I got to the backside, is there any chance I'd be able to get anywhere near MTB or Rachael's barns for a photo? If I could do these things I think I'd have just about the best vacation ever (yes, I am star-struck when it comes to race horses).

Finally, is there anything I'm missing that has to be done? A great place to eat, a farm where the staff is really friendly and let's you have access to get good photos of the horses? You folks are the experts, and I'm looking for all the help I can get.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

You've got the farm with a great staff covered by going to Shadwell. I only requested to see Jazil, but was there for close to two hours as they showed me every stallion and even took me and my friends in golf carts while they put the horses out or to see the ones that were already out. They were super patient for photos, allowed treats and sent us home with hats and dvds! :tro:

As for places to eat in Lexington...I'm a total health food nut so I can't help you on bad stuff, but Atomic Cafe http://www.atomiccafeky.com/ is real decent and has a nice patio.

:rolleyes:

Healthy stuff is good stuff! :p

My mom said the same thing.




Now I just eat Burger King, Taco Bell, and Carolina Barbeque.

When you go see Invasor and he is in his Paddock, look accross the path to the other Paddock. That's Jazil who is as much of a clown as he ever was at Belmont. His foals have been looking incredible I am told. Not sure about Rachel as Jackson's security team is back in gear but you'll see her coming back from the track every morning. I think Assmussen works his horses early. MTB's connections I am told are very fan friendly. It is just that no one has bothered to want to see him. I loved my trip down there last year. Have fun. I am jealous. Shadwell is awesome. They have so much land and Rick Nichols has actually designed it with some influence from the State Park in Saratoga. They grow fields of corn and hay to feed the wild life. Kent Barnes is the stallion manager and he is very friendly. However during breeding season, I am sure they are extremely busy.

Kentucky Horse Park :tro:

Great thrill was having my picture taken with John Henry.


But I guess if you were hoping for that on this trip you better bring a shovel:rolleyes:


Sounds like you got a great trip planned - enjoy!

Well I'll be in town the weekend that falls around the 25th so you better be prepared to eat at the aforementioned cafe. :D

Just so we're clear, you want to eat at a tropical-themed restaurant, IN KENTUCKY?!? :zz:




:p

ha,ha,ha...That was my first thought the first time I went!

Sighty is the only person I know that goes to California Pizza Kitchen and eats a salad.

I'm special. :o

Will you make it to Colonial?

Prob not. Saving vacation days for when the baby is born.

you forgot BEC.:zz:

if you like fine dining try the holly hill inn in midway. they have the chefs tasting menu. i believe 5 and 7 course at a decent price . but remember its the experience of the dining as a whole not the quantity as tasting menus at some upscale places can leave you just right or still feeling hungry after your done depending on the person and what you expect when dining. but a very cozy and charming place.

also the wallace station which is a bakery but on monday nights give you a great southern fried chicken dinner at a very cheap price and you get alot. they have a patio out back to eat otherwise it is take out.friend chicken, black eyed peas, collard greens etc. its between midway and versailles

for steak , malones in lexington on tates creek road is the one i go to. they have 2 others also. i think all three have a sushi bar at least tates creek does connected right to it and its also a piano bar.

as for stud farms , also try darley. the stalllion manager is a great guy and very personable. they were very good about bringing out horses that you would like the couple times i was there. you need to see quiet american.if you get a chance instead of waiting for them to bring him out to you like the rest ask to go to his stall when they bring him out. he opens the stall door to let himself out all by himself.:{>: i was at gainesborogh when i seem him before they moved the 2 stallions over to darley .


another place was winstar-very nice people there also- and even thou victory gallop is no longer there its worth the quick trip to see tiznow

honestly they are all pretty nice at any of the farms

and there is also the bluegrass equine center which i attended thier open house this april. ask for the owner a man named chuck simon if he is available
and see if he will give you a tour?:eek: maybe just stick with beth instead.

but if you do get to speak to him he can send you on a beautiful ky driving tour not far from there. ask him about it. he would prob be more then happy to send you on your way with directions and a shotgun.:D

its actually a very pretty drive chuck if your reading this:)

and also besides john and alysheba before you enter the hall of champions at the horse park. the other horses are buried thru the stalls and thru the show ring and on the backside of the show ring.

and when your at the derby museum make sure to stop and see perfect drift and tell drifty hi from roger. and watch him run around and terrorize the minature pony they have stalled with him.

other then that have a safe and great trip derby cat !!!!

The two best racing-related restaurants in L-ville are Pat's Steak House and John E.'s. Awesome atmosphere and food at both and always some horsemen around.

On a serious note, I'm going to Kentucky next week too.

For good.

Yes... I'm moving to Kentucky.

Thanks everyone, really great feedback, my itinerary is getting full! I'll try to make my photos available for you to see after the trip, I plan on immersing myself in all that is horse related (with a little bourbon tossed in :D ) and hope to get a few quality photos that I can hang on my office wall at work.

If any DTers are going to be at Churchill on Friday or Saturday let me know, the first drink is on me!

You promise ?

Did you try Hill N' Dale?

Architecturally I don't think there is a more beautiful farm. (one of the male employees isn't too bad either ;) )