Breeders’ Cup Festival Begins Saturday in Lexington

Breeders’ Cup Festival Begins Saturday in Lexington: Plans for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland involve more than just attending the prestigious races. The city of Lexington is holding a festival to celebrate and showcase all the Bluegrass has to offer. A full list of events and dates is offered on the official Breeders’ Cup Festival website. The Breeders’ Cup Festival even provides a “Top 10 Reasons to Come Early for the Breeders’ Cup” for easy planning during your visit to Lexington.

Topping the Breeders’ Cup Festival Top 10 list is the Feeders’ Cup, an Oct. 24 competition between different food trucks from around the region from 3-10 p.m. This will take place at Whitaker Bank Ball Park and offer live music. The Feeders’ Cup is a great way to sample each of the 20 trucks’ signature dish and vote for your favorites. Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the gate and include a tasting from each competing truck. The event will also include drinks, live music from local bands, and more.

Second on the Breeders’ Cup Festival list are special Horse Country Thoroughbred farm toursthat will run from Oct. 25 through Oct. 28 and give fans a chance to see former Breeders’ Cup champions, celebrity sires, famous siblings, and more. Seeing all the great former champions will feel like going through a living museum. Taking a farm tour is a must-do experience during your week in Lexington prior to race day.

The third top event is the “Kentucky for Kentucky” 5K Fun Run & Walk, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Oct. 25 at Kentucky Horse Park. Prepare to run or walk 3.1 miles in the midst of champion horses and other attractions. There is even a chance to win big by “dressing like your favorite Kentuckian” for a possible $1,000 prize. For inspiration, author Hunter S. Thompson and actor Johnny Depp are both famous Kentuckians!

Another fantastic competition also taking place during the Breeders’ Cup Festival is theThoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium from Oct. 23-25. The featured event is the $100,000 Thoroughbred Makeover where nearly 200 horse and rider combinations will show off their training feats on recently retired racehorses. The weekend will also include a variety of demonstrations and seminars and is perfect for every equestrian and horse lover.

Other activities on the Breeders’ Cup Festival Top 10 list include training hours observation at Keeneland, “Betting the Breeders’ Cup” (a DRF handicapping seminar), live music downtown, bridge lighting, fireworks, and Bourbon tasting.

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships is a two-day series of races on Oct. 30 and 31 designed to bring the best horses from around the country and world together. Day 1 culminates with the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI). The Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) headlines Day 2, and American Pharoah will attempt to end his legendary career against the likes of Beholder and Honor Code.

For the first time, these races will be held at Keeneland, one of the most iconic settings in Thoroughbred racing worldwide, situated in the heart of Thoroughbred country.

Tickets are still available for the Breeders’ Cup and accompanying Festival. Visit www.keeneland.com or www.breederscupfestival.com for more information.

Lexington’s first Breeders’ Cup is shaping up to be creative and fun-filled weeklong vacation for all racing fans!

Original Source: BreedersCup.com