The Kentucky Derby Museum, just off Gate 1 at Churchill, offers a treasure trove of Derby memories for horse racing aficionados and people making their maiden trip to a track. The museum was closed for renovations due to flooding for the past nine months, but just reopened in time for the Run for the Roses on May 1.
Images: The horses of Kentucky
Images: Best off-the-beaten-path vacations
Through videos and testimonials from racing greats to fans, visitors soak in Derby Day atmosphere — from regal millionaire’s row to the raucous infield. Exhibits showcase the Derby’s reputation as a fashion runway — with examples ranging from a dress worn by Anna Nicole Smith to the plumed hats dotting the Derby crowd.
Interactive displays let visitors pretend they’re riding thoroughbreds, guiding them to the rail or to the outside, or making wagers on randomly chosen past races at Churchill — though no money changes hands. Guests can call a horse race as track announcer, or test their Derby knowledge with a trivia game.
“If people aren’t race fans yet, I hope ... this tempts them to watch a horse race,” said museum spokeswoman Wendy Treinen. “I hope people who have been in before say, ’Wow, this place is great.’ All the new technology just sucks you right in and you want to learn more.”
Every Run for the Roses since 1918 can be replayed with the touch of a screen, allowing visitors to relive the Derby Day glory of longshots to Triple Crown winners.
“It’s fun to see retired jockeys come in and watch their races,” Treinen said.
Though the museum celebrates the Derby every day, the non-profit attraction that draws about 210,000 visitors per year is a separate entity from Churchill Downs.
In the past year, the museum has shown the resilience of a Triple Crown winner. Last August, the museum was swamped by flash flooding that caused more than $4 million in damage, forcing its closure. The museum reopened less than two weeks before this year’s Derby, following an ambitious $5.5 million renovation.
The museum’s collection of artifacts was largely spared, though a few dozen items were sent to a Chicago company specializing in restoration work.
Memorabilia from races past are on display. Visitors can see trophies awarded to winning owners and jockeys, the saddle strapped to 1948 Derby winner Citation and the halter worn by 1975 Derby victor Foolish Pleasure. One display — “Countdown to Victory” — offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Derby.
Visitors can hear jockeys and trainers recount the emotions leading up to the big race. Famed jockey Pat Day recalls riding onto the track before the Derby crowd.
“There’s just so much electricity in the air, so much enthusiasm and excitement,” he says in an audio interview. “It’s just tangible, you can cut it with a knife.”
The traditional playing of My Old Kentucky Home before the race will “stir emotions like no other,” said renowned trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
The museum also arranges guided walking tours of Churchill Downs. A half-hour tour includes visits to the paddock, where the horses are saddled before a race, and to the grandstand. An 90-minute tour includes visits to the jockeys’ quarters, millionaires’ row, the press box and parts of Churchill’s renovated clubhouse.
Another option is an hourlong barn and backside van tour, which allows visitors to watch horses train, catch them during a bath and learn about life at the track.
On the museum’s second floor, visitors can trace the life of thoroughbreds and their racing careers. At one exhibit, top trainers explain what they look for in a horse and share their philosophy in getting a spirited animal ready for a race.
Susan Walgenbach of Davis, Calif., said she wasn’t a horse racing fan, but now plans to watch the upcoming Derby after a trip to the track and museum. Walgenbach and her husband watched some thoroughbreds during workout.
“It’s great to see the horses in real life and running,” she said. “That was fabulous. The best I’ve done is feed a horse a carrot or an apple over a fence.”
Carol Brodeur of Wellfleet, Mass., said she became interested in the Derby about four years ago after attending a Derby party hosted by a Kentucky native on Cape Cod. She has watched the Run for the Roses since then. “I wish I could hang out on millionaire’s row for a day,” she said.
Museum fan Duke Madsen, of Salt Lake City, said he marvels at the “amazing grace” of thoroughbreds and the history behind the sport. Madsen and his wife attended their first Derby last year, and took time for multiple tours of the museum.
They were hooked and will be back for this year’s Run for the Roses, he said. “If you have a love for the adventure of the two greatest minutes in sports, it’s just remarkable to walk in and feel the vibes you get,” he said of the museum.
Quebec abuzz over Cohen exhibitionMINI E Race : Green power through the Green Hell
