Kentucky Derby Horse Racing Fans Go Green

Robert Browning
(1812 - 1889)

"Happy Derby!"

That's the cordial greeting horse racing enthusiasts have shared, since 1875, on Kentucky Derby Day.

This year, however, a new greeting may be added for Kentucky Derby horse racing fans and participants. It's a fair bet that the "Happy Derby" salutation may be replaced with this ecologically advantageous phrasing, "Happy Earth-Friendly Derby!"

"Race to Recycle"

In 2008, for the first time in the entire history of the acclaimed Kentucky Derby horse race, the spectators and participants will have an opportunity to recycle aluminum cans and plastic bottles for charity.

The 134th occurrence of the famous "Run for the Roses" with thoroughbred horses at historic Churchill Downs will be marked by a "Race to Recycle" program.

Of course, the Louisville, Kentucky, racetrack has offered recycling options at horse races before, but never at such a grand scale. This time, the Mayor of Louisville and Kentucky Derby corporate sponsors ARCO Aluminum (a subsidiary of BP North America) and Anheuser-Busch Corporation are adding mileage to the Kentucky Derby recycling effort.

"Churchill Downs is pleased to join the city, ARCO Aluminum and Anheuser-Busch in this partnership to reenergize this very significant recycling project," explained Steve Sexton, Churchill Downs president. "This community has been our home for 134 years, and we hope this will inspire similar efforts throughout the community and our horse industry."

"'Race to Recycle' is an exemplary effort by the sponsors to establish a 'Green' identity for the beverage containers as a sustainable package and also increase the awareness of recycling in the community," said Pat Franc, ARCO president. "This program takes the recycling message to the thousands of people who visit the tracks throughout the year, but also gets the community involved through the school recycling challenge."

"[By] working together, we will set an example for the entire world that Louisville is a recycling community," proclaimed Jerry Abramson, the city's Mayor.

Kentucky Derby horse race attendees will be encouraged to deposit their empty aluminum cans and plastic bottles in special recycling receptacles in the infield at the track and parking areas. The containers are marked with the recycling program's logo, which reads, "Go Green Louisville. Get in the Loop."

"This recycling initiative . . . allows fans who are concerned about the environment to actively do something to help," reported Rob Thoele, Anheuser-Busch regional manager. "This program will keep a significant amount of used beverage containers from reaching landfills."

In recent years, Kentucky Derby horse race attendees and participants produced well over 100 tons of trash. Racetrack staffers estimate that 25 to 50 percent of that refuse may have been be recyclable.

Post-Race Pickup

On Sunday morning, the day after the famous Kentucky Derby horse race, local students will gather to collect the recycled aluminum cans and plastic bottles from the designated areas. Nearly 100 students, representing three local schools, will pick up the materials during the post-Derby project.

Funds raised from the recycled items will benefit the schools, as well as the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Will the "Race to Recycle" program be an environmental success? You can bet on it!

NOTES:

The Kentucky Derby horse race represents the first jewel in the famous Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Horse Racing. The Preakness and Belmont Stakes are the other two jewels.

Need a guide to understanding the various types of bets you can make at the racetrack? Click here for information.