Trip to Lexington...suggestions welcomed

Labeeb · #1 04-02-2007, 07:45 PM

I will be making a last minute run to the Lexington area to take in racing at Keeneland on Saturday afternoon. First time I've been able to take in Kentucky. I will have all morning and afternoon on Friday to do whatever it is I want. I was thinking of taking a tour of one of the many farms in the area or going to the KHP to see Cigar, John Henry, and Da Hoss.

I guess my questions are...

How freely can you move around the KHP? Is everything conducted through guided tours?

If there was one farm that has tours open to the public on short notice, which would you pick?

Best steakhouse in Lexington?

The rest I'll figure out once I get there. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Cajungator26 · #2 04-02-2007, 07:51 PM

Checking out the Kentucky Horse Park is definitely worth your time. I enjoyed going out there... it's beautiful. When we went, we did not have a guided tour. I'm not sure how it works now, but their website will probably give you any info that you need:

http://www.kyhorsepark.com/

As for everything else, I'm relatively clueless. We toured Gainesway when I was a kid and I really enjoyed that (got to see Mt. Livermore.)

philcski · #3 04-02-2007, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labeeb

I will be making a last minute run to the Lexington area to take in racing at Keeneland on Saturday afternoon. First time I've been able to take in Kentucky. I will have all morning and afternoon on Friday to do whatever it is I want. I was thinking of taking a tour of one of the many farms in the area or going to the KHP to see Cigar, John Henry, and Da Hoss.

I guess my questions are...

How freely can you move around the KHP? Is everything conducted through guided tours?

If there was one farm that has tours open to the public on short notice, which would you pick?

Best steakhouse in Lexington?

The rest I'll figure out once I get there. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Farm- Adena Springs. But it's breeding season... good luck.

Steakhouse- Malone's, hands down. Fantastic.

Sightseek · #4 04-02-2007, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philcski

Farm- Adena Springs. But it's breeding season... good luck.

Steakhouse- Malone's, hands down. Fantastic.

I second this.

Labeeb · #5 04-02-2007, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philcski

Farm- Adena Springs. But it's breeding season... good luck.

Steakhouse- Malone's, hands down. Fantastic.

And if you happened to have a mare that was scheduled to arrive in a few weeks to be bred? Would that get the door opened? Obviously I'll be calling in the morning, but just curious.

Sightseek · #6 04-02-2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labeeb

And if you happened to have a mare that was scheduled to arrive in a few weeks to be bred? Would that get the door opened? Obviously I'll be calling in the morning, but just curious.

Then you'd probably have no problem, but I'm sure you know that.

If this sort of thing interests you, they do tours and explainations of their therapy center:

http://www.kesmarc.com/

philcski · #7 04-02-2007, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labeeb

And if you happened to have a mare that was scheduled to arrive in a few weeks to be bred? Would that get the door opened? Obviously I'll be calling in the morning, but just curious.

Yes.

VOL JACK · #8 04-02-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philcski

Farm- Adena Springs. But it's breeding season... good luck.

Steakhouse- Malone's, hands down. Fantastic.

Try DeShea's downtown.

Rootdog1 · #9 04-02-2007, 09:36 PM

Homestead is a great place to hit after keenleand, great KY food but it is not cheap. The patio is hopping after the races, and you would need a reservation.

I would hit the horse park and then a farm tour.

Hopefully the weather will be as nice Sat as it is today, but I think it may be colder...like 50's. Sat will be a great day, very crowded though. If you have time go to the works and breakfast Sat morning - 7-8 am. That is very very fun.

Labeeb · #10 04-02-2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rootdog1

If you have time go to the works and breakfast Sat morning - 7-8 am. That is very very fun.

Depends on how long of a night it is Friday! Thanks for the suggestions.

Any website for Homestead? All I can come up with is a Homestead Nursing Center. I'm sure the shuffleboard area is hopping at night...

Rootdog1 · #11 04-02-2007, 09:47 PM

Sorry, forgot it is Murray's now......same owners as the historic Merrick Inn here in Lexington

http://www.murrays-merrick.com/murrays/index.html

It is basically 2 miles from the track, go down Man O War past the airport and it is on the corner of Man O War and Harrodsburg Rd.

Malones is good also, and they have a good bar which will also be hopping after the races.

http://www.malonesrestaurant.com/

KY_Sasquash · #12 04-03-2007, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VOL JACK

Try DeShea's downtown.

It's way overpriced and the food is mediocre. If you are downtown try and hit up Jonathan's at Gratz Park, Dudley's, or Metropol (very limited seating). Bellini's is an Italian place and is also downtown, tons of people love it, but Ive had two blah meals there. Jonathons would be my top choice out of these.

Labeeb · #13 04-02-2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Give Da Hoss a peppermint for me. Tell him thanks for the 96 and 98 mile.

If I make it there, I'll thank him for his Pennsylvania Governor's Cup win at Penn National. People had no idea what they were seeing up at Grantville that Sunday afternoon. The BC wins are nice too...