K-2014-FALL-MEET-018
Lexington will roll out the purple carpet this month in honor of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships as tens of thousands of visitors descend into town for the prestigious event, taking for the first time in its 31-year history at the city’s historic Keeneland racetrack. With many of the horses competing born within a 30-mile radius of the track, the event is being billed as a “Homecoming of the Ages.”
Upon finalizing the decision to bring the races to Lexington, Breeders’ Cup CEO Bob Elliston, a native of Kentucky, said “I felt like I was clicking my ruby slippers together and saying ‘There’s no place like home.’”
At a kickoff event last month geared toward local hospitality professionals and volunteers, Elliston expressed his excitement about being able to bring the event to the venue where more than 80 past Breeders’ Cup winners were purchased, and a town where he says “we treat our guests like they won a lottery ticket.”
Many Lexington professional and civic leaders are hoping the event will return in the future, including Kip Cornett, who serves as chair of the local Breeders’ Cup Host Committee. Created to coordinate a series of local activities to supplement the races, the host committee put out a call for more than 300 volunteers to help Lexington extend its finest hospitality in the days surrounding the event. According to Cornett, that call was answered in less than three weeks and includes a strong base of folks who worked with the 2010 World Equestrian Games or are otherwise well qualified for the job.
“We have a lot of volunteers that know how to work with people in the horse industry,” said Cornett, who has coordinated efforts from Lexington’s hospitality, entertainment and equine industries, as well as representatives from the city and other civic groups.
“People who don’t necessarily work together normally are pitching in and working together to accommodate our guests,” he added.
In an unprecedented move among previous Breeders’ Cup host towns – which include Arcadia, California; Elmont, New York; and Louisville – Lexington will host an impressive weeklong festival leading up to the races. Similar to the 2010 WEG Spotlight Lexington Festival, the event will feature events that include live music on outdoor stages downtown, gallery exhibits, bourbon tastings and more.
Mary Quinn Ramer, president of VisitLex and a member of the host committee, says the festival will extend the Breeders’ Cup experience into and around town. She also hopes it will encourage visitors to arrive a few days early to experience all that Lexington has to offer.
“Our hospitality is second to none,” Ramer said. “We want to have outstanding service to our visitors, but we also want to do it in a very genuine way.” cc
We’ve highlighted efforts to prep Keeneland for the races; outlined details for various Breeders’ Cup Festival events and exhibits; laid out a “Best Bet” handicapping breakdown and more - follow the links below!
Keeneland preps new structures of accommodate Breeders' Cup crowds
A Festivus for the Restivus: Breeders' Cup Festival Events
Best Bet: Handicap Wagering Tips from "ubercapper" Ellis Starr