Equestrian Kentucky

When you hear the word Kentucky, bluegrass, bourbon, Daniel Boone and Fort Knox are probably a few things that come to mind, along with majestic Thoroughbred horses. Equestrian enthusiasts gather at Keeneland in Lexington and Churchill Downs in Louisville to witness horse racing at its finest. Farm tours showcase horses grazing in fields and world-class stables surrounded by post-and-rail fences.

The Brown Hotel, Louisville

This AAA Four Diamond® historic lodging is a beauty with its chandeliers, elaborate plaster ceilings, equestrian paintings, marble floors and intricately carved European furniture. This downtown hotel draws bluegrass music lovers, bourbon drinkers and Derby Day celebrants alike. No visit to Louisville is complete without dining in the hotel’s English Grill and trying “The Hot Brown,” the hotel’s traditional dish. The open-faced turkey sandwich, first introduced in 1926 to feed guests after the nightly dinner dance, is topped with bacon, sliced tomatoes, grated cheese and Mornay sauce. After indulging in the sandwich you may as well tackle a slice of derby pie; filled with a gooey mix of butter, chocolate and walnuts and topped with whipped cream. It’s sure to finish you off nicely.

Churchill Downs, Louisville

Louisville’s Churchill Downs racetrack hosts the Kentucky Oaks race on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby. The winner receives a $600,000 purse, the “Lillies for the Fillies” garland and a sterling silver trophy with horse-head handles and a silver horseshoe on top. The first leg of the Triple Crown -- the derby, a AAA GEM event -- is also known as The Run for the Roses and is said to be the most exciting two minutes in sports. Started in 1875, this race featuring 3-year-old Thoroughbreds is always held on the first Saturday in May.

Jack Fry’s, Louisville

When in Derby City, make time to dine at this AAA Three Diamond® iconic restaurant. Jack Fry’s was established in 1933 and named for the original owner who was a big fan of amateur boxing and betting on the ponies. His place became a hangout for sportsmen, reflected in the historic photographs that line the walls. Southern food with a French twist, live jazz music, a connoisseur’s wine list and classic cocktails make this fine dining restaurant a local favorite. Enjoy their signature burger, “Jack’s Burger,” made with ground chuck, served on a brioche bun and topped with caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato and spicy Habagardil pickles -- cucumbers pickled with a blend of habanero peppers, garlic and dill. And don’t skip dessert. Paired with house-made ice cream or sorbet, seasonal fruit cobbler is one of the restaurant’s specialties.

Keeneland Race Course, Lexington