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2019 SECRETARIAT FESTIVAL EVENT SCHEDULE

Festival Basics: The 2019 Secretariat Festival, celebrating the unveiling of the Lexington, Kentucky Secretariat Bronze Monument, takes place Oct. 12-13 at beautiful Keeneland Race Course. The weekend offers a picture-perfect autumn backdrop where fans can gather to share the legacy of Secretariat and experience the Bluegrass region’s rich Thoroughbred heritage and live racing at one of Kentucky’s legendary racetracks.

Lexington Accommodations: A diverse selection of hotels can be found in Lexington. The following hotels are convenient to all Festival events: Clarion Hotel Lexington, Griffin Gate Marriott, Ramada Lexington North Hotel, Days Inn Lexington, Fairfield Inn Lexington North, Embassy Suites Lexington, Four Points Sheraton Lexington, Best Western Paris

Directions Keeneland Race Course, 4201 Versailles Road, is adjacent to the Bluegrass Airport and about 6.4 miles west of the heart of Lexington on U.S. Highway 60/Versailles Road.

Admission, Hours and Parking: Free admission to all Festival activities located within the Sales Pavilion. $5 admission for access to live racing and concessions on track. Festival gates open each day at 8:00 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. Free public parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in Rows 15-20 & Rows 28-34 near the Grandstand. Parking is also available adjacent to the Entertainment Center with shuttle service available.

 

FRIDAY, OCT. 11 – Pre-Party at Whiskey Bear at The Barn, 120 Summit at Fritz Farm in Lexington – beginning at 4:00 p.m.

 

SATURDAY, OCT. 12 – Keeneland Race Course, 4201 Versailles Rd – Festival Free Admission – Gates open at 8:00 a.m.

SECRETARIAT BRONZE MONUMENT PUBLIC DEBUT – Sales Pavilion Terrace – Unveiling at 10:45 a.m.

FARM TOURS AND TICKETED EVENTS – Check-in at Sales Pavilion Front Entrance:

• Keeneland Backside Tours – On site backside/trackside tours at 8:00 a.m.; 9:15 a.m.
  
• Lane’s End Farm Tour – 8:45 a.m. with host Steve Haskin (depart from Keeneland)
• Claiborne Farm Tours
  1:30 p.m.  Legacy Tour with host Steve Haskin (depart from Keeneland)
  8:00 a.m. Stallion Tour – (arrive at Claiborne by own means)
  10:00 a.m. Stallion Tour – (arrive at Claiborne by own means)
  12:00 p.m. Stallion Tour – (arrive at Claiborne by own means)

CELEBRITY AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS – Limestone Cafe: (majority at approximately 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., please confirm at event)

• • Kate Chenery Tweedy – Penny Chenery’s daughter, author of Secretariat’s Meadow
  • Steve Haskin – sports journalist, author, photographer
  • Kentucky Derby Winning Jockeys:
    Jean Cruguet – Seattle Slew, 1977
    Steve Cauthen – Affirmed, 1978
    Mike Manganello – Dust Commander, 1970
    Chris McCarron – Alysheba, 1987; Go for Gin, 1994

FESTIVAL FORUM SEMINARS – Sales Pavilion Arena

• 1:30 p.m. – Making of the Monument – Jocelyn Russell, artist
• 2:30 p.m. – Treating Secretariat – Dr. Robert Copelan DVM, with Kate Tweedy 

KEENELAND LIVE RACING: – First Post – 1:05 p.m.

 

SUNDAY, OCT. 13  – Keeneland Race Course, 4201 Versailles Rd – Festival Free Admission – Gates open at 8:00 a.m.

SECRETARIAT BRONZE MONUMENT – Sales Pavilion Terrace – photo opportunities throughout the day

FARM TOURS AND TICKETED EVENTS – Check-in at Sales Pavilion Front Entrance:

• Keeneland Backside Tours – On site backside/trackside tours at 8:00 a.m.; 9:15 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.
  
• Calumet Farm Tour – with Steve Haskin and Kate Tweedy 9:30 a.m
• Spendthrift Farm – with Steve Haskin 11:30 a.m.

CELEBRITY AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS – Limestone Cafe: (majority at approximately 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., please confirm at event)

• • Kate Chenery Tweedy – Penny Chenery’s daughter, author of Secretariat’s Meadow
  • Steve Haskin – sports journalist, author, photographer
  • Otto Thorwarth – Jockey/Actor who portrayed Ron Turcotte in Disney’s Secretatiat
• Kentucky Derby Winning Jockeys:
  Jean Cruguet – Seattle Slew, 1977
  Steve Cauthen – Affirmed, 1978
  Mike Manganello, jockey & Don Combs, trainer – Dust Commander, 1970
  Chris McCarron – Alysheba, 1987; Go for Gin, 1994

FESTIVAL FORUM SEMINARS – Sales Pavilion Arena:

• 1:30 p.m. – Remembering Eddie Sweat – former groom Marvin Moorer, son of Eddie Sweat
• 2:30 p.m. – Disney’s Secretariat, Fact and Fiction – with Otto Thorwarth, Kate Tweedy, and Steve Haskin

KEENELAND LIVE RACING: – First Post – 1:05 p.m.

 

THROUGHOUT SATURDAY AND SUNDAY:

 

• Kentucky Equine Artist Jaime Corum Painting Exhibition
• Secretariat Monument Selfies
• Secretariat & Racing Memorabilia Silent Auction
• Kentucky Derby Museum / Majestic Prince Kentucky Derby Trophy Display
• Secretariat’s Meadow booksigning with authors Kate Tweedy and Leeanne Ladin
• Sir Barton and the Making of the Triple Crown booksigning with author Jennifer Kelly
• Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center Adoption Program and “Ride Like a Jockey” Demonstration
• Semican Ron Turcotte Oats Display
• Sporting Art Auction Preview Exhibition
• Official Secretariat Merchandise Store
• and much more….

 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE FESTIVAL SPECIAL EVENT TICKETS AND MERCHANDISE

 

RECENT UPDATES: Keep checking back as we update our information here…

Jockey Appearances:

• Ron Turcotte is unable to attend the Festival, please see his personal message
• Steve Cauthen, 1978 Triple Crown winner of Affirmed will join the Festival activities

Secretariat Festival Pre-Party – Friday, Oct. 11

Oct. 12-13 Festival Forum Presentations will now take place in the Sales Pavilion Arena

Oct. 12-13 – Steve Cauthen and Mike Manganello will host select Keeneland Backside Legends Tours 

Oct. 13 – Limited Seats Available for the Spendthrift Farm Tour departing Keeneland at 11:30 a.m.

Keep checking back as we update our information here…