Kentucky Derby Fever: Round the Track and Visit the Derby Museum

I love, horses, races, and Kentucky, so a visit to the Derby Museum is right "up my gate."
First out of the gate, I saw the "Greatest Race," a 17 minute movie. It is shown every hour and on the half hour.
Let me tell you, this is for the young, the old, and the in between, like me. It is shown on the first 360-degree high-definition presentation in the world. It is updated every year after the race, showing the most recent winner of the derby. The observer really feels a part of the race. It's a must see when you are on the first floor ready to make your way along the rail.

As you round the track, you must take a ride on the mechanical horse. This exhibit is entitled, "Riders Up" and is meant to put the rider in a mock derby race. Well, it surely, worked for me. You try to maintain the stance the jockey takes on the horse for a period of two minutes, which is the time it takes to run the actual derby. I love horse back riding, and I must admit that even though this was not a live horse, the effects were awesome. This was due to the interactive feeling that I was actually riding in the derby race itself. Awesome!

Coming around the turn, there is a new exhibit called the Derby Hat Contest. This is fun because it showcases one of the most celebrated traditions of the Kentucky Derby, the hats. Every year people from around the globe enter their derby hat into this contest. Judges select the top thirty hats to be shown in this exhibit. Presently, the museum is selecting hats to be showcased this year. Men or ladies' hats are both accepted, and creativity is definitely encouraged.

Heading toward the winners circle is the Barn & Backside Van Tour where guests can actually walk onto Churchill Downs. Here, visitors get to see more than 1400 stalls on the back side of the track. You may see a retired horse, a young horse in training on the track, or the Derby winner himself. You might see a horse eating, bathing, or training. Due to the upcoming Derby, this tour is not available from April 26, 2009 - May 5, 2009.

Finally, if sitting in Millionaires Row is your dream, then dreams can come true if you take the new Behind the Scenes Walking Tour. Only 15 guests are allowed at one time to partake in this special opportunity. This is an hour and one half tour of the press box, the jockey's quarters,and millionaire's row. I would recommend booking any tour in advance, since their are limited tickets. Once again, tours are not available from April 26, 2009 - May 5, 2009.

Now, you have an overview of the Kentucky Derby Museum. Take a ride on over and begin at the gate and end in the winners circle. Have fun!

source:
www.derbymuseum.org