Lexington Kentucky
Lexington is Kentucky’s 2nd largest city in Kentucky with a population
of over 260,00 people and was named in honor of Lexington Massachusetts
after the battles of Lexington and Concord. It is located in the Blue
Grass region of Kentucky, or as many people call it, Paradise. Lexington
is truly the “Horse Capital of the World”, and that’s no idle boast. The
Aristocracy of the thoroughbred world reside just outside of Lexington.
Champions from years past, wander the horse farms in a countryside of
beautifully manicured horse farms. Spry yearlings develop the speed that
will carry them to the winners circle corralled in miles and miles of
identical white wooden fence and lush pastures of beautiful Blue Grass.
There are 150 horse farms in Lexington/Fayette County, and another 300
in the adjoining counties. Visitors to Lexington can tour many of these
farms in groups, or arrange for private tours. So popular have these
tours been that when Man O War died in 1947 the visitor ledgers
contained 1.3 million signatures. The finest thoroughbreds in are
produced on farms with historic names like Gainesway, Spendthrift, Three
Chimneys, and Calumet. These famous farms breed the finest thoroughbred
horses in the world, and for one reason, racing.
The local race track in Lexington is Keeneland Race Course. Keeneland
runs two race meets a year, the first in April, and the second in
October. Both meets are fairly short by horse racing standards, about a
month each. Quality above Quantity is emphasized at the meets. They are
a proving ground for the horses bred in Bluegrass Country, and a show
case for the auctions that bring in millions of dollars for the royally
bred horses produced here.
While the thoroughbred is king here, Lexington is no one trick pony. The
Kentucky Horse Park pays homage to over 100 different breeds of horses.
The Red Mile in Lexington offers, harness racing, Standard breds, and
Quarter Horses.
While Lexington is all about horses, it is not the only thing Lexington
is a college town. Kentucky Basketball has an almost fanatical
following. The success of the basketball program is rivaled by the
success of the university itself. The highly educated workforce in
Lexington make it a mainstay on every national list of best places to
run a business, relocate a business, and start a business. Lexington
enjoys low crime rates, a great selection of dinning, and nightlife
activities, and of course , horses.
Author Ron Stemple
Copyright 2006, Ron Dowell |
