CommunityBuzz! - Horse and bourbon DO, April 13-15, Lexington, KY

mile ho (who is in the horse business) and I would like to invite you to a horse-racing and bourbon DO in LEX (Lexington, KY), my original hometown, April 13-15.

mile ho is working on getting us private tours of horse farms where he knows the managers. This will be breeding season, so some places won't let us in, but he thinks he can persuade others. His horse-related post is below.

Here is a rough schedule, subject to modification as conditions warrant, since the number of attendees may affect what we can arrange:

Friday April 13: Horse farm tour(s). Or possibly a trip to the Kentucky Horse Park (http://kyhorsepark.com/) if we cannot get into individual farms and/or Shakertown (http://www.shakervillageky.org/). Plan on a late afternoon reception/party at my parents' home, on a lake in Lexington.

Saturday April 14: Breakfast/early morning visit to Keeneland, one of the most beautiful horse tracks in the world (http://www.keeneland.com/default.aspx). This might include watching the horses work out, breakfast at the track kitchen (southern biscuits and gravy, mmmm), visits with trainers and farriers, etc. Then we depart for one or more bourbon distillery tours (http://kybourbontrail.com/). Likely visits would be to the two closest ones: Woodford Reserve, a few miles away in Versailles (http://www.woodfordreserve.com/) and Wild Turkey (http://www.wildturkey.com/). If time permits, a real classic distillery is Makers' Mark in Loretto, but it's about 65 miles distant (http://www.makersmark.com/). I will try to arrange a private or special tour(s) if we get enough attendees.

Sunday, April 15: A Day at the Races: Keenelend. The track is located across the street from the LEX airport, so you can bug out whenever you want. My father knows some members of the Keeneland Club, so I will try to reserve a table or two for private lunch, but there can be no guarantee how many people we can get in, if any. This is a formal place, requiring coat-and-tie for men and equivalent for ladies. It's optional of course and you can enjoy the informal public Grandstand for the day if you like.

A cheap points hotel for your stay is the Lexington Four Points, an SPG category 1, of which there are few in the US.:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1263

2000/3000 SPG point redemptions per night, and nights/stays count toward SPG status.

Please post here if you are planning to come for sure, or thinking about it, so we can plan.

Thanks.

Planning to come

toomanybooks + 1
mile ho
Blank Sheet
herb687
KMA26
CokeandTaco
iris30


Maybe or interested


karung99+1
SomeGuy


Hoping for a fall repeat

Sweet Willie
CubsGirl
From NYC
ElmhurstNick
nub2travel
nub2travel+1

Looking forward to 2013!

k_malm

No can do in April, I'm hoping you guys might have the same type of Do during Keeneland's Fall racing schedule

I'll be organizing the Friday part of the DO.

We'll be traveling to a few of the great horse farms in and around Lexington to see some of the all-time great equine athletes.

Some farms that we may get to visit are the notable Three Chimneys, home of such greats as Big Brown, Dynaformer, War Chant and Point Given. We will also try to visit Hill n Dale where Midnight Lute and Stormy Atlantic stand. Lane's End has Smart Strike, English Channel, Quality Road, Candy Ride and of course the great Curlin.

Where we go on Friday will depend on where I can get us in. It will be breeding season and these great stallions will be busy. But I will do my best to get us in to see as many as I can. As a horseman, I do breed mares in Ky so I'll have a little pull.

I also plan on taking our group to a mare farm as well so we can see that side of the business.

I'll be working on getting a famous trainer or two to speak to our small group as well as working on a trip to the backside at Keeneland and/or Churchill Downs.

When more concrete plans become available, I'll post them here. But rest assured, if you love horseracing and those wonderful animals, you'll have a good time on Friday.

Please PM me with any questions or suggestions.

I'm in and can organize a caravan from downtown Cincy for the DO. Can provide free parking just off Reading Road across from Graeters as an assembly point.

The new dates work for me.

Mrs Nub and I are in. This will be a great anniversary getaway. Look forward to more information.

Hotel booked thanks for the suggestion. Great deal.

Hoping for a fall repeat

Sweet Willie:D Muchas Gracias ^

:D Muchas Gracias ^

De nada. Hola. Cerveza, por favor. Gracias. No mas; adios muchacho.

That's all the Spanish I know.

Put me and +1 down as Maybe, we have an eyes on Trans Atlantic Cruise :)
Hotel is booked so far.

Love to join you guys I think it is more fun ^

Cerveza, por favor.the most important words

Damn...I'm already committed to be in AUS that weekend.

I will raise a glass of bourbon & think of y'all having a great time. I was really hoping to join in this time after having missed the last DO.

So, like Sweet Willie I'm hoping for a fall repeat so I too can enjoy your old Kentucky home. :)

Torn! Not committed to AUS that weekend but want to see my friends there. However, this is VERY tempting! ^

mile ho and I did not realize this weekend conflicted with the AUS DO. So we are thinking we might switch to the weekend before, April 13-15. Comments?

mile ho and I did not realize this weekend conflicted with the AUS DO. So we are thinking we might switch to the weekend before, April 13-15. Comments?unless my taxes are not done by then for some reason or if a legal matter comes to play (I have 2.5 hours of community service I promised to do (as a result of a judge dismissing a speeding ticket) on a Saturday in April to be named by the court), there are not too many reasons why I couldn't make this earlier date.

BTW, for those who are interested in this Do but can not make a spring event, a couple of FTers & I are planning another Keeneland outing the weekend of Oct 20/21. I (nor the other FTers) have access to the behind the scenes like mile ho has but it will be fun to get together with FTers & bet on the ponies. I'll start a different thread shortly as this thread should be about a spring Do.

Please note date change. April 13-15 so as not to conflict with Austin DO. Thanks.

The 15th is Orthodox Easter, so that's a no go for me. I'd be interested in a fall repeat like Willie is.

Will need to sort out some work schedule stuff to make this fit.

I lived in Danville once upon a time and loved getting up to Keenland (and over to the Bourbon trail).

I’m interested, but can’t commit at this time. Will look into booking hotel just in case. Thanks.

BTW, any chance of editing the title of this thread to reflect the new dates? I almost gave this a pass as I’m going to AUS.

BTW, any chance of editing the title of this thread to reflect the new dates? I almost gave this a pass as I’m going to AUS.

I have requested that.

Have noted the new dates for this one -- please mark me down as interested.
It also might serve as a nice prelude to the Belgian Beer Festival DO. :p

Unless something comes up workwise, I'll be there. Can't go wrong with bourbon and horse racing!

P.S. I stayed at the Four Points for the Oct 2009 Keeneland DO. It's cheap and a good value on points but be warned that the property is a real dump (or at least was in '09). About the only advantage it has is being across the street from a gas station that sells the Daily Racing Form for those to want to get a head start on their handicapping!

Dates edited as requested. April 13 is a special day for me, raise a glass to me please :)

Jenbel
Co-moderator, Communitybuzz!

Too bad new dates don't work for us. We are sorry we won't be able to attend. I hope you do this again.

There is no way I can go this year (even if there is a fall repeat) but I would love to go if you plan one again in 2013! Great idea!!

P.S. I stayed at the Four Points for the Oct 2009 Keeneland DO. It's cheap and a good value on points but be warned that the property is a real dump (or at least was in '09). About the only advantage it has is being across the street from a gas station that sells the Daily Racing Form for those to want to get a head start on their handicapping!Thanks for the feedback^, a dump for only a couple k of SPG, & access to the Daily Racing Form, I'm in:D (have it booked for Sat night Oct 20)

With the new dates this is very tempting....The Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland is on Sat. 4/14....it will be a busy race weekend in Lexington. Sounds like fun....

Looks like we'll be able to get into one of the premier stud farms... Darley.

Looks like we'll be able to get into one of the premier stud farms... Darley.
This is an excellent development....^

Just about to reserve room, just in case. Question: will we be able to store bags at Keeneland if flying out later on Sunday?

Still a bit too far in advance for me to know for sure, especially as I’m going to the Austin BBQ Do, but wanted to set a few things up as backups.

Just about to reserve room, just in case. Question: will we be able to store bags at Keeneland if flying out later on Sunday?


I have not been there in years, but I would think not.

Bumping this thread to see if there is any more interest.

We'll be needing to reserve the table at the Keeneland Clubhouse soon.

Please post if you think you can attend. Thanks.

Bumping this thread to see if there is any more interest.thanks for the bump, I'm bummed I am unable to attend.

Please add me to the interested list - for all events. I should be able to make a final decision as to whether I can make it soon. Thanks!

Put me on the interested list as well, please. It looks like I will be at Keeneland for work on 4/14, so Friday and/or Sunday I might have some free time.

I know it's early but what time are you thinking about on getting together on that Friday 13th?

I know it's early but what time are you thinking about on getting together on that Friday 13th?

I am thinking cocktail hour, maybe 5 or 5:30 pm, but am open to suggestions. My parents live on the east side of Lexington, just inside New Circle Road.

Anybody else have an interest, or updates from our "maybes"?

I’m afraid I have to decline now, after hoping I’d be able to attend. Simply too much else happening for me to break away. Hoping for a repeat, either in the Fall or next year, and thanks for putting this together.

Hoping for a repeat, either in the Fall.....Oct 21/22, mark your calendar.

I have just been told that Keeneland for lunch in the Clubhouse requires a minimum even if you don't show up, so if we are going to do that people would need to reserve and prepay through me. I will find out the amount.

If interested, please contact me ASAP.

Making the trek down for an event at the end of April and won't make this trip, but I'll keep the October weekend in mind.

Hope everyone has a great trip!!

I will be in Lexington, KY for these dates and I look forward to attending.

Fri - I will have +1 (if there is availability) for the horse farm tour.
Sat - Breakfast and whiskey tour look great (but I am also interested in seeing the Blue Grass Stakes @ KEE) I hope time will permit for the tour and late racing....
Sun - I will be departing and unable to attend the races....

Thanks for taking the time to set this up....let me know if I can help....

Have updated the list with all attendees of which I am aware. Up to 8!

Anyone else?

PMing those still undecided.

On Friday, looks like we'll be visiting two great stallion farms and one mare farm. Trying to get a well-known trainer to have breakfast with us at the Keeneland Track kitchen that morning. May also be able to visit the backside of the Keeneland track.

We're going to have a great time. Can't wait!

I'm still in.

Any chance of changing the schedule though as noted by CokeandTaco to go to the races on Saturday since it's Bluegrass Stakes day? I'm guessing the Sunday card of racing won't be nearly as good as Saturday's.

I have to work all day Saturday at the races, but if there are Friday or Saturday dinner plans, I'd love to jump in.

I'm going to use a free night at a Cat 1-4 Marriott on Friday night. Anyone have any suggestions? There are only a few options.

I have to work all day Saturday at the races, but if there are Friday or Saturday dinner plans, I'd love to jump in.

I'm going to use a free night at a Cat 1-4 Marriott on Friday night. Anyone have any suggestions? There are only a few options.

Fairfields look like $130, so a using 1-4 Marriott cert seems like an OK value.

One of our group is staying at the Four Points, 7000 SPG for 3 nights. That's a deal. One of the relatively few cat. 1s in the US.

It was suggested to move the race day to Saturday so we can watch the Blue Grass Stakes, one of the major KY Derby prep events. Fine with me, but the bourbon tours on Sunday are run less often; that may not matter if we are going to party late into the night. Keeneland will also probably be insanely packed and there's surely no chance to get in at the Clubhouse Sat. for lunch now.

Comments?

Saturday will certainly be very busy @ Keeneland. The Blue Grass Stakes will be run ~ 6-7pm (And is normally the 2nd to last race of the day). Seating will be scarce, and it will be a challenge to stay together. That being said, the place will be "electric", and who knows....the next Kentucky Derby/Preakness/Belmont (or Triple Crown :-:) winner may be running that day.....

With the current SAT/SUN schedule, I am currently looking at a "hybrid" day for Saturday:
I am hoping to join others for the Bourbon tour/s early in the day and then I plan on heading to the track (~4-5pm) for the last few races.

I'm going to use a free night at a Cat 1-4 Marriott on Friday night. Anyone have any suggestions? There are only a few options.

Fairfields look like $130, so a using 1-4 Marriott cert seems like an OK value.

One of our group is staying at the Four Points, 7000 SPG for 3 nights. That's a deal. One of the relatively few cat. 1s in the US.


SomeGuy -- I'd suggest that if you want to use a Marriott cert that you call the reservations line right away. Last week I called and many of the Marriotts in the LEX area did not have availability for using certs or points that weekend.

I hadn't gotten my hotel yet and it indeed seems to be a popular weekend. I do like CokeandTaco's idea for Saturday's agenda but will hang with what ever is decided.

So what time will we begin on Friday just so I know when to roll into town?

I too will be departing Sunday morning to head back to Cincy.

Best guess on Friday morning we'll breakfast at the Keeneland track kitchen around 8 or 8.30.

Leave Keeneland afterward to head to farms.

Looking forward to the event. I know very little about horse racing and bourbon so this should be fun and educational!

I'm flying in to SDF Wednesday AM and am headed down to Mammoth Cave to explore. I'll drive to Lexington Thursday so I plan to be join the group for breakfast Friday AM before heading to the farms.

I'm using points at the Four Points on Friday and Saturday night. Who else is staying there?

I'm also staying at the Four Points. You'll enjoy Mammoth Cave. Take a Ranger-led tour if you get the chance.

I'll get to LEX Thursday afternoon and I think there are others staying at the Four Points. Not the best hotel in the world and not the worst. But for so few SPG points? It's a deal.

It has been suggested that we go to the races Saturday instead of Sunday, so as to see the Blue Grass Stakes, a major Derby prep race. That is fine with mile ho and me.

One consideration is that there are more bourbon tours on Saturday. For example, the two closest distilleries to LEX look to be Woodford Reserve (Versailles) and Wild Turkey (Lawrenceburg). They have tours only at 1, 2, and 3 pm Sunday, but they start at 10 and 9 am Saturday, respectively, and end at 3. These tours do not have to be reserved.

Wild Turkey tour takes about an hour, and Lawrenceburg is about 15 miles from Versailles (the closest to LEX). So both could be done on Sunday.

Saturday at Keeneland will also likely be very crowded, but maybe that would add to the atmosphere.

Another possibility brought up by my Dad is that should it rain on Saturday, it would not be very pleasant to be at Keeneland, and that we might want to plan to go on Sunday hoping for better weather.

We could always switch on the fly.

Keeneland doors open at 11 and the first race is at 1 pm. So we could possibly make a run over to a third distillery Saturday morning for the early tour.

One consideration is that there are more bourbon tours on Saturday. For example, the two closest distilleries to LEX look to be Woodford Reserve (Versailles) and Wild Turkey (Lawrenceburg). They have tours only at 1, 2, and 3 pm Sunday....if you guys do go to a distillery tour on Sunday, make sure they allow drinking:) I seem to recall doing some research and some did not allow drinking on Sundays (but this was awhile ago when I looked into it)

Just got home from Keeneland. It was a beautiful day. The fillies were very exciting today. And the young ladies looked beautiful. HA!

Any idea what time the Friday agenda will start?

I was originally planning on coming in Thursday night but it looks like I can't fly in until Friday AM now. I can get in to SDF or CVG earlier on Friday than LEX. Would either of those alternate airports be closer to the farms we plan on touring Friday?

I may skip the official Saturday PM agenda to just hang out by a simulcast monitor since I have a horse that is (hopefully) going to be running at another track on Saturday.

Probably have breakfast around 8 at the track kitchen at Keeneland. Hour or two there and then off to the horse farms. LEX would be the best airport. What time can you get to LEX?



Any idea what time the Friday agenda will start?

I was originally planning on coming in Thursday night but it looks like I can't fly in until Friday AM now. I can get in to SDF or CVG earlier on Friday than LEX. Would either of those alternate airports be closer to the farms we plan on touring Friday?

I may skip the official Saturday PM agenda to just hang out by a simulcast monitor since I have a horse that is (hopefully) going to be running at another track on Saturday.

I just sent a PM to everyone who has confirmed, plus one I am not sure of. If you did not get it or you are lurking and thinking of joining us, PM me.

Looks like around 8-9 of us.

CNNMoney video on bourbon I just saw:

http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/04/10/n-bourbon-boom.cnnmoney/?iid=HP_LN

if anyone is interested in going to the Kentucky Derby, Travelzoo is having a 'special', just under $1500 per person http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/Louisville/Entertainment/15266?utm_source=top20_us&utm_medium=email

Fellow participants, I need your cell phone numbers. I only have 3. I may not have access to a computer all the time to see comments here and plans may change.

Sent. I should be arriving in the Lexington area by noon Friday.

Weather forecast looks great for this weekend. Almost no chance of turf races being moved to the main track!

Schedule for Friday, April 13:

8.30 am Breakfast at Keeneland Track Kitchen

9.15 am Visit Keeneland Race Track

10.15 am Glenridge Mare Farm - Mares, babies and the Great Susan Forester

11.30 am Lunch at Midway, Kentucky

1.00 pm Visit Spendthrift Stallion Farm

2.30 pm Visit Darley Stallion Farm

5.00 pm Party and Win's folks place

PM with any questions!!! already having a great time.

Headed to Puccini's Smiling Teeth - Pizza, Pasta, Beer and Wine.

Meeting in less than an hour (7 pm):

Puccini's Smiliing Teeth in Lexington, Ky.

833 Chevy Chase Pl.

Schedule for Friday, April 13:
8.30 am Breakfast at Keeneland Track Kitchen
9.15 am Visit Keeneland Race Track
10.15 am Glenridge Mare Farm - Mares, babies and the Great Susan Forester
11.30 am Lunch at Midway, Kentucky
1.00 pm Visit Spendthrift Stallion Farm
2.30 pm Visit Darley Stallion Farm
5.00 pm Party and Win's folks place
PM with any questions!!! already having a great time.
Headed to Puccini's Smiling Teeth - Pizza, Pasta, Beer and Wine.
This will be a special day! ^ I am looking forward to Friday the 13th.....:)

Somebody tried to text me just now, but I have no text package.

At Beer Trappe on Euclid now for a bit.

Otherwise, see you at breakfast tomorrow at Keeneland I hope.

I had Puccini's for dinner last Friday night.

Hoping to make it into town in time for the party tomorrow night.

KMA26, my +1 Rich, and I are at the Keeneland Track Kitchen. mile ho is on the way.

Just had a great tour of a mare farm after a little time at Keeneland. Saw mile ho's mare which will give birth any day.

Now having lunch in Midway and about to go to Spendthrift Farm.

We hit Keeneland this morning for a bit and are headed to Woodford Reserve for the 10 am tour. Then lunch and the 12:30 Wild Turkey tour.

Then back to Keeneland for the day.

Great party last night.

It's a little cool and breezy at the track this morning. If you're here 11:30-12:30, you can get a free pic with the track bugler.

Kentucky Derby and Preakness both have their own drinks, does Keeneland?

Hope everyone enjoyed their day at the track. It turned out to be beautiful.

If you were there, see if you can find the story of the blue-tailed horse today. The whole story is quite the soap opera, but this is the only story I can find posted so far.

http://www.nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/47051108/ns/sports-horse_racing/

A simple equation:

Stallions+pregnant mares+rural Kentucky roads+KY lake house+Bourbon+food+beer+Blue Grass Stakes (Keeneland)+a few FTer's = a great weekend in Lexington!

Thanks toomanybooks and mile ho for planning and organizing this DO.

It was a big day at Keeneland yesterday:
http://www.keeneland.com/Lists/News/dispform.aspx?ID=7141
And mile ho may find this story interesting: ;)
http://www.drf.com/news/keeneland-perfect-officer-runs-course-record-time-shakertown

A simple equation:

Stallions+pregnant mares+rural Kentucky roads+KY lake house+Bourbon+food+beer+Blue Grass Stakes (Keeneland)+a few FTer's = a great weekend in Lexington!very cool !!
Oct 21/22, mark your calendar.
as promised, here is this Fall's Horse & Bourbon Do:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/communitybuzz/1336123-horse-bourbon-do-ii-oct-20-21-2012-lexington-kentucky.html
-

KMA26, Rich (my +1), and I have arrived back in Chicagoland. Thanks to those who came; I think it was just about a perfect weekend.

Special thanks to mile ho, whose connections got us in for some very interesting horse farm tours.

And the 4 Points in LEX, or should I say the "2000 Points," proved to be an excellent choice from what I could see.

Hope we can do it again in October.

Awesome time this past weekend.

Made some great new friends who I hope to see again soon.

Thanks to everyone who came and especially to Win for all his work on this DO.

Thanks to toomanybook and mile ho for putting together such an awesome weekend. I had a wonderful time from start to finish! It was great to meet everyone and I'm sure I'll run in to y'all again soon!

A simple equation:

Stallions+pregnant mares+rural Kentucky roads+KY lake house+Bourbon+food+beer+Blue Grass Stakes (Keeneland)+a few FTer's = a great weekend in Lexington!

Couldn't have said it better CokeandTaco. ^

Let me add my thanks to toomanybooks and mile ho for their planning of this weekend, including the local LEX knowledge and all things equine. That, and the company made for a terrific Do. It was great to be with old friends as well as to meet new ones.

Hope that I cross paths with each of you on travels in the not-too-distant future.

High School Skinny gave birth this afternoon to a fine looking colt.

We just missed getting to see the little guy.

High School Skinny gave birth this afternoon to a fine looking colt.

We just missed getting to see the little guy.
Congratulations!
I certainly hope High School Skinny 2012 develops into a promising young thoroughbred.......

High School Skinny gave birth this afternoon to a fine looking colt.

We just missed getting to see the little guy.

Mazel tov!

High School Skinny gave birth this afternoon to a fine looking colt.

We just missed getting to see the little guy.

Congratulations mile ho and thanks for sharing the good news!

Exciting news about the new colt. Congratulations!

Thanks to all for a great event. Hope to see some of you back in LEX for the next H&BD in October.

Having a Founder's Double Trouble IPA in Atlanta this evening. Damn good as I remember our fun times.

Having a Founder's Double Trouble IPA in Atlanta this evening. Damn good as I remember our fun times.

As you could've predicted, I purchased some Double Trouble upon returning to Chicago and, coincidentally, had the first one this evening. A very tasty brew which evoked memories of a fun Do.