HPN-HRL

Maybe plan ahead for a visit during a future Do, when we can get more of us to fit? After my purchase there were only two tickets left at noon, one at 2:00, and one at 3:00 for this Saturday.

As has been usual in the past, I will be at the 1/2 point (4 pts LEX) - I have actually been treated well there over the years. However, availability there is non-existent from Nov 1st onward - maybe this hotel is being removed from Marriott?

toomanybooks

Ah, yes, the place rxgeek’s friend thinks is named the “Four Seasons.”

Interesting that nothing is available past Oct 31. That was a great place to redeem back in the old cat 1 SPG days.

toomanybooks

Everyone please PM me your name and phone number.

We can communicate through group texts if that is ok.

ChrisFlyer66

Courtyard Keeneland/Arpt

mattp1987

Staying at the HR Thurs/Fri night. Flying out Saturday 5:45pm.

Thinking of booking one of those two remaining Bulleit spots. I'd be open to checking out horses in Shelbyville that morning then doing Bulleit and maybe one other on my way back towards town and heading to the airport from there.

Planning to arrive early afternoon (let's say 12-2pm range) Thursday. I'm up for doing some distilleries or breweries closer in to town that afternoon then maybe we can meet up for dinner somewhere as others get into town.

MSPeconomist

Weather forecast:

Thursday 92 52 partly cloudy

Friday 71 47 sunny

Saturday 78 58 partly sunny

Sunday 78 56 pm showers

Monday 73 53 showers

Zorak

My hotel info is unchanged:

(I'm flying in to DAY Friday afternoon)

Someone please remind me if anything is planned for Sunday afternoon yet?

krazykanuck

I've booked for noon. 1 spot remains.

FYI

mattp1987

I grabbed the last spot.

Herb687

I know Cocobird isn't the biggest drinker among us but I was going to suggest Glenns Creek Distilling for Friday morning before the races:
https://glennscreekdistillery.com/
It's the type of low-key place where you can show up without reservations and there won't be any crowds. "Tours" are quite informal and the semi-ruins on the property are fascinating to explore. Guests taking the tour may be asked to perform manual labor at the distillery without compensation. (Search FT and there are some photos of some FTers filling and signing barrels at Glenns Creek).

Castle & Key right down the road from Glenns Creek has become a very big deal so tours there will require reservations. Worth it though for the history of the place. And their excellent gin & tonic (no whiskey yet available to taste).

As for parking at the track, it will be very busy on Friday given the forecast beautiful weather but you should be fine if you get there early. There's always free parking available, just could be a very long walk. I think they have some shuttles. I usually drive to Keeneland via country backroads that lead to the back gate and park somewhere around the Water Tower/Track Kitchen or stable area.

If I wanted to make absolutely sure that I arrived at Keeneland in time to get to the admission gate, settle in to my seat, buy a Daily Racing Form, and make a few bets before the first race, I'd try to be parking no later than 12. On the other hand, if you just want to relax, take in the scene(ry), and not worry about seeing the first race or getting some action down on that early Pick 5, well there IS a race every half hour or so...


I was going to suggest Old Friends for Sunday afternoon. Or possibly Monday morning?


Hilton downtown for me.

MSPeconomist

Is there anything special about the first race, perhaps a bit of ceremony, a little parade, music, etc.? I don't care about placing bets, but I don't want to miss the "show" of the first day of the Keeneland season.

Also, how do people dress in the (I assume) grandstand reserved seats?

GrjApp

I may be interested in Glenns Creek on Sat morning, sounds fun! I can also vouch for Castle & Key - do the longer tour and you’ll see all the grounds including the barrel storage building.

Old Friends was pretty good, I enjoyed that one.

cocobird

Did we visit a couple of years ago? It looked like a movie set from a war movie - very cool. Wouldn't mind going back. While I'm more horse than bourbon, I've developed a fondness for bourbon tinged items (balls, candies, cake, beer, etc.)

Could I carpool with someone? Happy to pay for parking. Probably safer for the public since I hardly practice my driving skills anymore (driven only once this year so far), and I have the worst sense of direction.

Just be forewarned. A couple of years ago, Jeff and I couldn't get on a shuttle because of the crowds on a Saturday. Hundreds of people were waiting at the shuttle stops.

Old Friends is quite enjoyable. There are many recognizable horses (Derby and other stakes winners), plus the guides tell you their stories. You get upclose feeding them carrots provided by the guides.

MSPeconomist

So the problem was with the shuttles from the back gate and that food place for jockeys, not shuttles from the main free parking lots? Is it possible to walk from the back gate area if one tires to park around the jockeys' restaurant and the stables?

cocobird

I don't think so, although not familiar with Keeneland's layout. I was with someone who knew his way around. We arrived mid afternoon on a Saturday and the parking was a zoo. We were directed to a spot in a big field and it was quite a hike because the shuttles were full. Friday probably won't be as bad, but you never know. The college kids invade the place to check each other out, and not the horses.