What to Wear to Keeneland's Clubhouse
The question that HerKentucky readers ask us most often is "What should I wear to Keeneland?" This week, HerKentucky has advised y'all on the dress code for the Paddock and Dining Rooms for Lexington's storied Keeneland Race Course. Today, we'll talk about what to wear to the most exclusive area of the track -- the Clubhouse.
The members-only Clubhouse similarly requires coat and tie for men and dressy pants/skirts for ladies. I find that a skirt suit or a dress paired with a pretty cardigan or wrap is always appropriate for the upper levels. In general, if you'd wear it to church or a business meeting, you're golden.
Shop The Peppermint Palm, omar + elsie and Bella Rose for gorgeous, on-trend dresses that fit the Clubhouse rules. Pretty dresses in feminine spring colors fit the bill, as do luxe accessories.
Dress to Impress, and have a great day at the races, y'all!
What to Wear to Keeneland's Dining Rooms
Sooner or later, most Central Kentuckians get invited to an event in one of Keeneland's Dining Rooms. These make for some great days at the track -- you're inside, taking it all in. You're guaranteed to run into tons of people you know. And, of course, a bad day at Keeneland is better than a good day just about anywhere else. Like the lower levels, Keeneland's dining areas have a unique dress code.
If you'll be dining in the upper-level, enclosed dining rooms-- The Lexington, Kentucky, or Phoenix Rooms-- then expect to dress for a business event. The Lexington and Kentucky rooms -- dining rooms often reserved for business and social gatherings-- have a "business formal" dress code; these areas require men to don a coat and tie, and skirts/dresses/dressy slacks for ladies. The Phoenix Room-- another reserved dining room-- is "business casual", requiring collared shirts and slacks for men and dresses, pantsuits, or capri pants for ladies.
What this means is that you want a little more pulled-together, professional look than what you'd wear to the lower levels. Pair a colorful Lilly Pulitzer Elsa Top from The Peppermint Palm with neutral slacks or a skirt. A vivid dress from Monkees or omar + elsie is perfect with a solid cardigan and classic accessories. You're likely to run into a classmate or professional acquaintance in this area of the track, so keep your style classic!
Here's to a winning day at the track! Check back tomorrow morning for our picks for the Clubhouse!
What to Wear to Keeneland's Paddock
Keeneland is one of my very favorite things about the Bluegrass State, y'all. The races, the crowd, the fashion, the bread pudding... it's all pretty wonderful.
Some folks have told me, though, that the dress code is a little intimidating. So, the next few days' posts will focus on decoding the Keeneland dress code. First up, the lower levels.
If you're going to stay near the Paddock --General Admission, Grandstand, or Equestrian Room-- there's no need to dress up very much. Guys often opt for khakis and polo shirts, and women can wear slacks. You're actually dressing for a horse race in these sections. These are the areas nearest the track itself, and people are truly there to watch (and bet on) the horses. With that said, don't be surprised to see a lot of dresses and sport coats in the lower-levels. In recent years, a culture of dressy tailgating (think Steeplechase) has popped up among college students and twenty-somethings, and the second floor (General Admission) Sports Bar often resembles a campus bar or fraternity semi-formal; while the dress code says "casual", there's plenty of Vineyard Vines ties and Lilly Pulitzer to be seen.
Keep it classic and preppy with a Lilly Pulitzer dress from the Peppermint Palm and Jack Rogers sandals from Monkees of Lexington. Your beau can't go wrong with a Vineyard Vines tie from Country Club Prep. Don't forget your sunglasses, a cup of water, and a good dose of sunscreen if you're hanging around the Paddock or a tailgate; it's really easy to wind up dehydrated or sunburned! Check in tomorrow for a guide to the dining rooms' dress code.
Stay comfortable, look cute, and enjoy your day at the races!
Blogger {View} Wednesday: Courtney Layne Brewer of Behind Her Monogrammed Macbook
Today's Blogger{view} Wednesday features Courtney Layne Brewer of Behind Her Monogrammed Macbook. Courtney is a Lexington-based high school student, fashion and lifestyle blogger, and all-around cool girl. I'm just so impressed that she manages her blog along with schoolwork and normal high school stuff (like her school's production of Legally Blonde!). She is just the cutest!! Thanks so much to CLB for joining us today!
How did your blog get started? I started blogging in February of 2014 for a multitude of reasons. I had always loved fashion, always been a writer, and the inspiration from friends-of-friends starting blogging sparked something in me. I had just moved to a brand new house with a brand new room, and I started BHMM out of pure inspiration to change along with my new house.
What's your favorite thing about Kentucky? Oh so many things, all depending on the season. In the fall my life centers around Kentucky football and our huge tailgates. Once the new year comes, I live for basketball and cheering on my Cats. But if I had to pick one thing, it's Keeneland. Spring and fall meet seasons are my favorite parts of the year and Keeneland is my happy place.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a blog? Never be afraid to make the ask. The biggest part of blogging is reaching out and making connections, and you can't be afraid. No matter how big the company or how "impossible" the dream, you never know what could happen, the worst answer you can get is no.
Now for the important questions.
Cats or Cards: C-A-T-S CATS CATS CATS! I've been going to UK games since I was three and can never imagine cheering for the Cards.
Louisville or Lexington: Lexington is my home, wouldn't have it any other way.
Favorite Local Restaurant: Malone's and Dudley's are two of my classic favorites, but North Lime Donuts is slowly becoming an addiction.
Favorite Local Shop: Bluetique is my favorite local boutique, but I love Kentucky brands like Shop Local Kentucky.
Celebrate National Beer Day with a Kentucky Twist!
Today is National Beer Day -- the observance of the day 82 years ago when the Cullen-Harrison Act went into effect, lifting the Prohibition on beer sales and consumption. These days, you can find a beer to suit any palate, and here in Kentucky, local microbreweries are producing some unique and delicious brews.
Of course, you can't talk Kentucky beer without mentioning the Hofbräuhaus in Newport. They're only trying to recreate the ducal brewery of 16th century Munich, NBD. Lofty aspirations aside, this place is fantastic. The food. The beer. More food. More beer. Y'all, it's just so good. Get the Jägerschnitzel. And the Schwarzwälder Kirsch Torte. And the Hefe Weizen. My next visit, I want to try the hot-brown-on-a-potato-cake situation; I can't imagine that it would be anything other than amazing.
Kentucky Ale's Bourbon Barrel Ale is my very favorite local beer. It's actually aged for up to six weeks in bourbon barrels, so it takes on the rich notes of vanilla and charred oak that are so familiar to bourbon drinkers. If you're in Louisville, head out to Coal's Artisan Pizza in St Matthews for a Bourbon Barrel Ale with your pizza. Same goes for Feast BBQ. Or pretty much anyplace else you see it on tap. It really adds an interesting, distinctly "Kentucky" flair to classic pub food.
If you love stouts and coffee (and I do!), then it stands to reason that you'll love coffee stouts. The limited edition Heine Brothers' Stout at Bluegrass Brewing Company is an oatmeal stout that adds the flavor of the Derby City's favorite coffee.
These are just a few of my favorites, but there are so many other awesome microbreweries to mention. Lexington's West Sixth has been a game-changer in bringing quality local beer to central Kentucky. Country Boy Brewing, also located in Lexington, wins the "best name ever!" award with its Cougar Bait brew. There's talk of a microbrewery opening near my hometown! And my favorite Paducah native tells me that when you're in the Purchase area, you MUST try Dry Ground Brewing.
Here's to drinking locally! Cheers, y'all!
Ten Things You Must Do in Louisville This Spring!
So, here's the thing: Louisville is AMAZING in April and May. The trees are in bloom, and Derby's just around the corner, and there are countless excuses to have a party or just to get outside and enjoy the weather. Here are 10 things you absolutely must do in Louisville this Spring.
- Take a walk on the Big Four Bridge.
- Attend a Derby Hat Event. I recommend the YWC's Charity Derby Hat Sale.
- Drive River Road all the way from Downtown to Oldham County. Preferably at sunset. Bonus points if you can locate Sue Grafton's house.
- Go for a walk in Cherokee Park.
- Take a cruise on the Belle of Louisville.
- Take in the Balloon Glow.
- Skip Thunder altogether. The crowds and all those people? For fireworks? No thank you.
- Go to the Flea off Market. Or the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair. Or any other opportunity to shop outside.
- Attend the Fillies Ball.
- Visit a Chow Wagon.
Happy Spring, y'all!
The HerKentucky Guide to the Blue Grass Stakes
It's an amazing weekend here in the Bluegrass State! The 'Cats are in the Final Four, family and friends are in town for Easter and Passover, and it's Blue Grass Stakes day at Keeneland!
1957 Blue Grass Stakes (image via Keeneland)
If you find yourself at the race track today, you can anticipate a huge crowd, even by "Saturdays at Keeneland" standards. The eighty-ninth running of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes will commence this afternoon at 6:00 p.m. The Blue Grass Stakes (G1), is perhaps the most important race of Keeneland's racing year, generating at least one Derby contender. That's a lot of information to take in, but it's pretty easy to talk about Big Races like a pro. Here's what you need to know:
1941 Blue Grass Stakes. (Image via Keeneland.)
Graded Races
- Obviously, the really fast horses run in the big money, high stakes races. These races are graded by purse amounts. (A "purse" is the total amount of money paid out to the owners of the winning horses. Usually, horses placing first through fifth are eligible for a portion of the purse.)
- Any race considered for grading must have a total purse value of at least $75,000. The Grades are "Listed" -- at least $75K; "Grade III" -- at least $100K; "Grade II" -- at least $150K; and "Grade I" -- at least $200K.
- The Blue Grass Stakes is a Grade I Race with a $500,000 purse.
1970 Blue Grass Stakes (image via Keeneland)
Derby Prep
- Purse earnings formerly determined horses' eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. As of this racing season, horses qualify for Derby through a points system. You can find the entire list of Derby qualifying races here.
- The winner of the Blue Grass Stakes is awarded 100 points and is guaranteed a slot in the Kentucky Derby. This is the highest point-value race run in Kentucky.
1937 Blue Grass Stakes (image via Keeneland)
Blue Grass Stakes Stats
- The Blue Grass Stakes was first staged in 1911.
- The race is 1 1/8 miles and is run on synthetic turf.
- The fastest time for the current Stakes distance is 1:47.94, as run by Dullahan in 2012.
- The Blue Grass Stakes is currently sponsored by Toyota.
- There are 14 horses (and one "also-eligible") in this year's field. You can study their stats here.
One more tip: Wear the cutest dress you own, because everybody will be at the track today!
Happy Racing!