Mint Juleps will be flowing as Horsemen’s Park prepares to host thousands of race fans for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
"This is the Super Bowl of horse racing for us," says General Manager Mike Newlin. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. and there is no admission. "The clubhouse is sold out and some of the seating in the sports bar is sold out," Newlin says. But there's plenty of free seating both indoors and outdoors. We added another tent outside so we can accommodate a lot of people. We have a jumbotron on the infield people can watch the races on.
He believes the warm, sunny weather will help boost attendance to more than 10,000. Adding to the atmosphere of the big race is the fans who dress up in hats and their Sunday best. "Dressing up is admired, but not required," Newlin says.
Again this year there will be a contest for the best hat that will have a $3,000 prize pool. "The top five will split up the money with the winner getting $1,200," Newlin says.
After a day of racing, Newlin says they will have a live DJ playing music in the evening.