Governor Andy Beshear is ready to welcome an estimated 150,000 racing fans on Saturday alone.
"This is a great week where we get to show the entire country how we do hospitality and how we do it better than anyone and so whether it's just smiling at people from out of town. Or bringing people in and and taking them to the track. I hope everybody has a great Derby show off what makes us the very best place to live in the United. States of America," Beshear said.
And Kentucky's first dog is in on the action.
"We've got the most scientific method that we have ever followed. We're going to let Winnie pick."
The dutiful pet then proceeded to nose her way through a line of jockeys and silks lined up on the lawn of the Governor's Mansion.
"Winnie's pick is Epic Ride," Beshear announced.
Before anyone decides to go with Winnie's pick, I wanted to ensure her choice was on the up and up so I asked the governor if he could guarantee that no treats were added to any of the tennis balls selected? I just wanted to make sure it was a fair draw.
"It was a fair draw for for Winnie. No treats, peanut butter cookies or anything were added to the choices. Now we did use cookies to get her outside, but then it was it was all on her," Beshear reassured.
Post time for the Kentucky Oaks is 551 this afternoon. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is 6:57 PM tomorrow.
