WKYT - Home - Headlines

WKYT FirstAlert Weather

Churchill Downs Prepares for Queen's Visit on Derby Day

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Each spring, Churchill Downs becomes a playground for the rich and famous - making star gazing as popular as handicapping horses in the Kentucky Derby. This year's lineup of celebrities attending the Run for the Roses will be trumped by royalty.

The venerable track was preparing the royal treatment for its most famous guest - Queen Elizabeth II.

The British monarch, an avid horse enthusiast, will attend her first Derby on Saturday - adding another chapter to a race steeped in tradition in a sport where bloodlines are valued.

"It says something about the Derby that it has universal appeal from the royals to us regular folks," said Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson. "Louisville shines on Derby Day."

It wasn't just the horses that were preparing this week for the big event.

A number of track workers attended etiquette class to avoid any social faux pas when in the queen's presence. The track's executive chef planned a sumptuous Southern-style meal featuring some Kentucky favorites.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
powered by Disqus

Current Conditions

Weather for Lexington, Kentucky
72° F
Partly Cloudy
Thu
70 58
Fri
63 47
Sat
68 42
Sun
68 47

Opinion

What are you doing Memorial Day weekend?

Traveling
Staying home
Have to work
Nothing, enjoying time off

Most Commented

powered by Disqus

Enter your number for a chance to win great prizes!
Message and data rates may apply
Refuse to Lose

Viewer Photos

Text Links

Premium reloading brass once fired

WKYT

2851 Winchester Rd. Lexington, Ky 40509 859-299-0411 - switchboard 859-299-2727 - newsroom
Gray Television, Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2013 - Designed by Gray Digital Media - Powered by Clickability
User Agent: CCBot/2.0 - 7310991