Week #48, 9 November 2017

Thursday came bright and sunny.  It was warm enough we didn't even need our jackets when we arrived at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY for a tour.  Churchill Downs is home to the Kentucky Derby and began races in 1875 and has continuously held that race the first Saturday in May since.

That last time we were in Louisville, was in 1969, when we visited Tom here on his mission.  We don't remember too much about the area then, so it is all new to us now.  The twin spires at the downs are original from when it was first built in 1875.

 We started our tour in the museum where we looked at various racing memorabilia and took a turn at riding in a race!  My horse just would not go and the screen kept flashing the message:  "Stand up in the stirrups!"  Wow, was that ever hard!  It took a lot to get that all up.

Bob decided his up wouldn't git!

We watched a movie about the race track in a large room with swivel stools to sit on since it was shown around the room.  It was quite the show that made you think you were right there in the middle of the race.

We then went on a walking tour and out to the ring where the horses are brought just prior to a race.  The horses are walked around the ring to warm up while the owners come out to greet them.

They are put in the stalls to be saddled and then out come the jockeys to mount up. 

We went over to the track itself where jockey and horse went on a little stroll for more warm up.

Heading off to the gate.  We didn't see this race as we had to get back in time for our next tour.

We loaded into a van for the 'Barn and Backside' tour.  We drove through the tunnel under the track that took us to the backside.  There we saw the barns, horses, trainers, jockeys, and others involved with the track life.  They have their own church (Meets on Monday since Sunday is race day.), education center, recreation room, family services, and such help as needed.  It is a community all of its own.

Here we were able to watch the next race from the backside of the track.  They are taking a warm up jog with their lead horse.

Man and animal were ready and then out came the tractor to grade the track.  

In the gate and ready.

"And they're off!"

 By the second stride the horses are going 35 mph.

We moved to the infield for the next race of fillies.  None of these horses have won a race, so whichever one wins here, it will be their maiden race.

It looks tight.

These two have definitely moved ahead with the brown in the lead.

But then, oh my, the black has taken over and won the race.

Well, the races and the tour were over so it was time to go.  We walked a long block back to where the car was parked and stopped in at Wagner's Pharmacy and Diner for a sandwich.  They have been in operation since 1922 and is quite the spot for horse and race fans.

We checked into a hotel and then headed to the temple for a session.

It sits in the parking lot of the stake center, which makes it difficult to get pictures.  A kind brother took our picture.  We enjoyed our time here and the saints were very friendly and made us feel welcome.