Dress warm. It is going to drop into the 20's on friday night in Louisville (mid 70's today) and Lexington is usually colder. I wished we had stayed at Gulfstream for another week. The Frankel barn just moved in this morning next to us at Churchill, and they are in for a treat when the weather changes tomorrow.

Wow, talk about a change. Dropping from a high of 82 today to 49 tomorrow and 40 come Saturday. Just my luck.

Alright. I'll be checking Adena out at 3:30 on Friday afternoon, which means I'll probably hit KHP in the morning, then jet over to Keeneland for a couple of hours before heading over to Adena then back to the room to watch a night of racing from beautiful Grantville.

I don't think I'd mind being at Keeneland in the cold. It's still Keeneland. (Last year, I did a day at Keeneland in the pouring rain. No problem getting right on the rail to watch the races.)

Labeeb, sounds like you have a plan. I was going to suggest to you that you go to the KHP and be there in the afternoon, when Cigar gets turned out. It's a treat to see him canter/trot around and pose for the tourists. I do believe he knows we're taking pictures. Heh, at least you still have John Henry turn his back on you!

Ah, if they bring out the horses in the afternoon, maybe I'll have to try and go over on Sunday afternoon before coming back home. Perhaps works at Keeneland in the morning, lunch, then maybe the library, then over to Adena.

I really am hoping to see Cigar, John Henry, and Da Hoss but Alphabet Soup, Awesome Again, Congaree, Ghostzapper, Giacomo, and Touch Gold ain't half bad either...

For the record, Malone's is on the docket as well for a late dinner Friday night. My mouth is already watering.

If you go to Malone's, you will be within 6 blocks of my house. We live in the Lansdowne-Merrick subdivision, named for the Farm (Merrick), named for the TB that lived to the greatest recorded age (38), who lived there and is buried on the grounds of the farmhouse, now the Merrick Inn. It's nice to think about when I'm in my backyard that Merrick may have grazed on this hillside.

Not sure why, the burgoo is famous...very tasty.

I lived in the Hamburg area...it's weird to think about what was there and what is there now.

I'm thinking that if I really want to do burgoo right, I have to wait until I visit Louisiana and the Fair Grounds. Maybe I'll try a link of it.

As for Rader...bartender or patron?

Actually I was getting burgoo confused with that strange link-like deal they sell in butcher shops in Louisiana. Name escapes me right now.

Is the track burgoo a good representation?

If you've got IBS you might want to consider getting the burgoo to go. I'd advise not eating it before the races start because it tends to get really crowded (especially on opening day/weekends) and the restrooms are horrendous.

Why do I have this sneaking suspicion that I'll be packing on a good five pounds in two and a half days in Kentucky?

Anybody try the wahgu at malones?

Burgoo is a local version of a meat stew, usually created in large batches and slow-cooked in a pot over an open fire. In olden days, game meats predominated but today they use beef and chicken mostrly. And local vegies, like corn and lima beans. Take a look at the Wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgoo

The sausage in question is, I think, andouille.

If you've got luck and cash, try and book a private tour with MaryAnn Squires, the wife of J.D., who bred Monarchos. She'll get you in anywhere and she knows everyone. The contact info is Kentucky Horse Tours (Mary Ann Squires) (859) 312-1124.

Go to this website for all sorts of horse farm tour info:
http://www.visitlex.com/quick/tours.html

HAVE FUN!

I love her! She's such a sweet lady.

Is Keeneland the only simulcast facility in the area? If not, will any others offer a different simulcast menu for Friday evening?

Unless you are interested in harness racing simo at the Red Mile Harness Track in Lexington.