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The Thoroughbred Industry - The Thoroughbred is a breed of horse whose origins can be traced to three foundation stallions of the mid-18th century. The Thoroughbred is deeply rooted in Kentucky's public image, traditions, and economy, and the breeding, racing, and sale of Thoroughbreds amount to a multi-billion-dollar industry in the state. Central Kentucky holds the world's greatest concentration of Thoroughbred breeding farms, and the Lexington-Fayette County area serves as the world's foremost center for financial, accounting, and legal services for the Thoroughbred.

Kentucky produces more Thoroughbred foals than any other state in the U.S.- over 7,261 were foaled in Kentucky in 1991. Thoroughbreds are known as foals until their first birthday, which, incidentally, is accepted as being January 1 of the year they are foaled for Thoroughbreds born north of the equator, regardless of the actual date of birth. The breeding season is usually timed to produce foals in the spring of the year; the gestation period is 11 months. The animal is known as a weanling after separation from its mother, or broodmare, and a yearling after its first New Year's Day. On the following January 1, it becomes a 2-year old and is eligible to race.

Thoroughbred racing generates tremendous enthusiasm in Kentucky. Six Thoroughbred racetracks operate in the state: Bluegrass Downs at Paducah, Churchill Downs at Louisville, Ellis Park at Henderson, Keeneland Race Course at Lexington, Turfway Park at Florence, and Dueling Grounds in Franklin. Attendance at these six tracks during the 310 racing days allotted in 1993 was over 3 million and the amount of money bet (known as the parimutuel handle) totalled over $490 million.The purses, or the amount of money divided among the owners of the winning horses, totalled almost $53 million. Thoroughbred racing tracks generated $15 million in tax revenues to the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1993.

Two primary Thoroughbred sales companies presently operate in Lexington - Keeneland Association and Fasig - Tipton Kentucky, Inc.In 1993, 3,403 yearlings were sold at auction in Kentucky for a total of more than $146 million which represents 77 percent of the gross dollars spent for yearlings in the U.S. The record-highest price ever paid for a yearling at auction was set in 1985 - a bid of $13.1 million. However, million-dollar yearlings are uncommon, and nationally they represent only a fraction of a percentage of the yearlings sold at auction.

Many aspects of the Thoroughbred industry are highlighted at Kentucky's institutional tribute to the horse - the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.The Horse Park features the International Museum of the Horse, exhibits on the horse and its relationship to man, a walking farm tour, and various equine-related events and shows, including the world-famous Rolex Kentucky International Three-Day Event. Harness racing is also popular in Kentucky. Harness racing is offered at Red Mile Harness Track in Lexington and Riverside Downs in Ashland.

The Kentucky Derby - The Kentucky Derby is the quintessential Kentucky holiday, patterned after the Epsom Derby held since 1780 at Epsom Downs in Surrey, England. The first Kentucky Derby was held May 17, 1875 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, and was won by the horse Aristides. Now held annually at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, the 1-1/4-mile race for three-year olds is considered the most prestigious Thoroughbred horse race in America. It is the first race in racing's Triple Crown, which also includes the Preakness and the Belmont.

Kentuckians otherwise completely indifferent to Thoroughbred horse racing get into the Derby spirit by attending one of the many Derby parties held throughout the state. A two-week-long festival featuring a fireworks extravaganza, a balloon race, a mini-marathon, a bicycle race, a steamboat race, and the Pegasus Parade precedes the race in Louisville. Approximately 1.5 million attend the festival. The actual running of the Kentucky Derby attracts over 130,000 attendees, and millions watch the event on television.

Bourbon - Bourbon whiskey was developed in Scott County, Kentucky, in 1789 by the Reverend Elijah Craig, a Baptist minister. The drink takes its name from Bourbon County, Kentucky, where in 1790 a man named Jacob Spears produced what was considered to be the finest alcoholic beverage on the frontier.

Spears mixed corn with rye and added malt for fermentation. That closely resembles the process distillers use today. Legally, bourbon must contain at least 51 percent corn (but may contain up to 90 percent), must be stored in unused charred oak barrels for at least 24 months, and must not be more than 160 proof (80 percent alcohol), or less than 80 proof (40 percent alcohol).Once the process was developed, it is easy to see why farmers preferred to distill whiskey instead of marketing their dried grain. A typical pioneer trail cart could transport 4 bushels of dried corn or the equivalent of 12 bushels when distilled into whiskey.

Kentucky is one of the largest producers of bourbon in the world. This is due to Kentucky's limestone water which is considered to be the purest and most suitable for producing the beverage. Surprisingly, bourbon, which has an amber brown color in its final form, is perfectly clear just after it has been distilled. It takes its color and some of its flavor from aging in charred oak barrels.