Keeneland Diaries: Marvelous Maker’s Mile

I love coming to Keeneland; whether it’s in the spring for Kentucky Derby prep season or in the autumn when the road to the Breeders’ Cup culminates before horse racing’s World Championships, this racetrack in the heart of horse country is a mecca for anyone who loves Thoroughbreds.
I arrived last night, collected my rental car and headed out to meet a colleague for dinner at the County Club Restaurant, which serves up delicious, hearty and local treats. It’s one of my favorite places to eat in Lexington, and I highly recommend it if you find yourself in the Bluegrass.
I got a good night’s sleep (that was only mildly interrupted by a massive thunderstorm that rolled through town at about 2:30 in the morning), then I was up, fed and heading to the track in time to head to the Keeneland Library and Visitor’s Center to see some of the brightest stars of the University of Kentucky basketball firmament signing commemorative bottles of Maker’s Mark bourbon.
Ok, I know that saying this is the equivalent of pointing out that the sky is blue and that water tends to be wet, but holy moly, people in Kentucky really, *really* like their basketball. When I arrived at the signing, the line to get the autographed bottles and see Frank Ramsey, Cliff Hagan, Dan Issel and Adrian Smith was all the way out the door.

The UK luminaries were up on stage, and myriad unsigned bourbon bottles awaited their autographs.

At the end of the line, fans could pick up their signed bottles of Maker's Mark; this gentleman was kind enough to let me take a photo of him with his keepsake, and it truly was a work of art. 

I headed back to the press box, only to run into my friends Alicia, Nicole and Anne, who told me that Moet & Chandon was debuting a brand-new type of champagne at Keeneland today: Ice Impérial, which is designed to be served on the rocks. Since I am all about journalistic integrity, I felt it was my duty to check it out, sample the goods and report back to you. I know, selfless of me.
The party was being held in the Keeneland sales pavilion, which is located just next to the track’s entrance. The setup for the event was beautiful, and there were smiling faces and champagne galore awaiting guests upon their arrival.

Inside, people mingled and tasted the Ice Impérial, posing for photos in a booth complete with props, and enjoyed some excellent service from the friendly bartenders:

Since my friends and I can’t resist such things, we joined the line for commemorative and mugged for the cameras:

You may notice that I put a bowtie on the racehorse cutout that I was holding; I figured that it was a party, so he should be dressed accordingly.
There was also some seriously scrumptious food, including mini hot brown quiches, shrimp and grits, and my new personal favorite: mini deep-fried French toast with cinnamon maple syrup.

I think I ate about eight of them. It’s true love; I just know it.
At this point, it was the crack of noon and time for me to start paying attention to the races that were about to begin. It was a perfectly beautiful day in Lexington, and as the horses and jockeys emerged fans were treated to the visual feast that is Keeneland in the springtime.

Presiding over the scene was the Breeders’ Cup statue that will stay here until the World Championships are held in the heart of Bluegrass Country this fall on Oct. 30 and 31.

As we got closer to the Maker’s 46 Mile, the crowd began to swell as fans poured into the track to enjoy a picture-perfect afternoon of racing.

As more people arrived, I saw some fantastic fashion around the track. I loved this guy, who saw the opportunity to really celebrate his love of top-shelf bourbon:

Guys were sporting bright ties and sports coats, while women were similarly dressed to the nines.

When the time came for the Maker’s 46 Mile, the featured race of the day, the crowd swelled around Keeneland’s paddock to catch sight of the horses as they prepared for the race.

I have a soft spot for gray horses, and Za Approval is a truly stunning Thoroughbred. He was one of the favorites for the Maker’s 46 Mile, and the horse I was personally rooting for.

After circling the paddock, the horses warmed up on the main track before heading to the starting gate.  Each horse was glistening in the late afternoon Kentucky sun, and it was impossible to choose the best-looking out of the bunch. 

Finally, it was post time; the horses all broke out of the starting gate in a perfect line, and the Maker’s 46 Mile was on!

As the horses swept into the first turn, they were in a tight bunch with Thoroughbreds and jockeys vying for the perfect position to set them up for the rest of the race.

But after a lap and a mile, it was all Jack Milton, who won the race with the greatest of ease. 

As Jack Milton and his jockey Javier Castellano returned to the winner’s circle, Javi had a huge grin on his face. 

And after the photos of Jack Milton and his proud connections had been taken, Javi dismounted and was met with hugs of glee from his adorable daughters, and the family headed off the track to celebrate together.