LEXINGTON, Ky. — Off to the races! Many Lexingtonians and thousands of others nationwide got the Easter weekend started early at Keeneland Racetrack Friday morning.
Every April and October, the track hosts race meets with jockeys, and trainers come across the globe in hopes of winning the grand stakes.
It didn’t always feel like spring out, but that didn’t stop Lexington’s unofficial first day of spring — opening day here at Keeneland Race Track. Droves of people came out to place bets, have a few beers and overall have a good time.
John Kirk said he's been going to Keeneland opening day on and off again since the 1970s and is a day he tries to get to every April.
“It’s a beautiful track, beautiful buildings; it’s springtime — everything is blooming. It’s just a great time to be in Kentucky," Kirk said.
Every Wednesday through Sunday, meets take place during Keeneland's April spring season. Kirk said he enjoys looking at the horses and hopes to pick the winning thoroughbred.
“I’ve got my first pick here, then I’m waiting for them to come out. I have to look at them to see. That helps me a little bit to make up my mind," Kirk said.
Others in attendance Friday made the trip to the world famous track for the first time.
“I am very excited. It’s going to be great to see these animals. I’m a horse lover, have owned horses and it’s going be great to see them running hard," said Stan Godfrey of South Carolina.
Godfrey drove over to Lexington from Columbia, S.C. and said he's spending the weekend reconnecting with old friends. He hopes to get a full Bluegrass experience.
“We’re going put a little money down today, this is for the weekend. We’re doing this today and then doing a bourbon tour tomorrow and try to take in as much of Lexington as we can then we’ll head back Sunday," Godfrey said.
Self-described horse nut, John Thiemann, said Keeneland has been a destination of his for a while.
“We're kind of doing the tour of Saratoga, Keeneland, we did Churchill [Downs] almost every track that’s what we’re trying to do," Thiemann said.
Thiemann came from Florida and is already planning to come back in the fall.
“We got season tickets. Since we’re retired, there’s no sense in being at home," Thiemann said.
Keeneland opening day is sign the Kentucky Derby is just around the corner.
Gates at Keeneland open at 11 a.m. and on most days the first meet steps off at 1:00 p.m.
Keeneland’s fall meet season takes place in October.