FESTIVITIES
RACE WEEK
Chartered Tours,
Race Week Parties,
and Private Events!
And, of course, Race Expo
and Race Day themselves!
Way More than Just a Race!
Thursday, May 9
Race Weekend Kickoff Party!
Sedona Taphouse, Lexington
6-9pm
Our ever-popular bourbons + cocktails + local cuisine party which quite often goes wwwwwell into the night! It’s always the #1 opportunity to taste our very own private select bourbons for the year - plus make dear friends from around the country, for life!
Includes appetizers, two cocktails, plus samples of our very own 2024 “Forbidden Husband” Maker’s Mark plus our incredibly rare and exceptional French Sauternes Private Selection Barrell Craft Rye Whiskey! Tax and tip also included, so this price covers all.
Often, because people get hungrier as the evening goes on, you can order separately off of Sedona’s full menu for dinner - their food is delicious, their bar is premium and their service is top-notch! That’s all completely up to you.
$55/person
Friday, May 10
Coffee Morning at Talon
Talon Winery
8:00-9:30am
For fellow coffee snobs of the world!
Enjoy four different premium specialty coffees, each personally curated from around the world and handmade for you by Eric, our Race Director and utterly devout coffee snob!
Each steeped in a French Press to extract the richest and most robust flavors Mother Earth offers! (I’ll also let you try an AeroPress, a newfangled hybrid method meshing the Espresso grind and pressure with a French Press’s richness!)
A wonderful, peaceful morning with Mother Nature all by ourselves out on the grounds of Talon Winery before Expo opens later that day.
And comes with one of our brand new, 2024 “Welcome home to America’s Prettiest Half Marathon” coffee mugs to keep!
$30/person
YOLO Tour!
Friday, May 10
You Only Live Once!
Mill Ridge Farm
+ The Stave Restaurant & Bar
+ Private Tour & Tasting at famed Woodford Reserve Distillery
This is the creme de la creme experience, unlike any other and guaranteed to be worth its weight in gold.
We will take you on a beautiful and ultra-hospitable ride to and through all of the very best Bluegrass Country scenery… with three big-time stops at three of our absolute favorite destinations in Kentucky! All via chartered motorcoach so you don’t have to worry about driving or navigating! As always, treats and beverages served onboard to keep the good times rolling!
First, Mill Ridge Farm, “the OG” of farm operations in Central Kentucky. Lead today by Headley Bell and his son Price Bell, names that trace all the way back to even the earliest days of Keeneland Race Track in the 1930’s!
The Stave Restaurant & Bourbon Bar is a must-stop. It is locally owned and operated with a fantastic back patio - and an even better menu - out along Glenn’s Creek, just down the road from Woodford Reserve Distillery, where you’ll be spending your Friday afternoon learning about (and tasting) the very best Kentucky has to offer from every direction!
**If there is time, which there might be a little bit before lunch, we’ll try and also take you quickly to Rebecca Ruth’s Chocolates just up the country road from Woodford Reserve and The Stave. Back in her day, Rebecca Ruth invented the famous Kentucky Bourbon Ball!
9:30am - 5:45pm
Departs from Talon Winery
$250/person. Max 25 guests.
Real Lexington Tour!
Friday, May 10
Taylor Made Farm Tour
+ The James Pepper Distillery Tour and Tasting
+ Downtown Lex’s historic and ever-bustling Distillery District for partying, exploring and playing!
This one’s being hosted by Rachel, now a full-time Realtor in Lex, who knows the land better than almost anyone!
You’ll start off exploring the grounds of Taylor Made Farm, where America’s racehorse - the most popular in generations - California Chrome, roamed!
Then downtown to the wildly fantastic Distillery District for lunch and play! All via chartered motorcoach so you don’t have to worry about driving or navigating! As always, treats and beverages served onboard to keep the good times rolling!
Lunch is on-your-own down in the Distillery District, we’ll give you their full list of restaurant options before you go!
10:00am - 4:00pm
Departs from Talon Winery
$150/person. Max 50 guests.
Note: if you prefer to abstain from the James E. Pepper Distillery tour and tasting, that can easily be arranged. For motorcoach reservation purposes, purchase your ticket here, like normal, then email Eric afterward and I’ll refund you the $21 portion of this overall cost. I know not everyone wants to drink. You will still very much enjoy Taylor Made Farm, the Distillery District’s vast array of options, plus our legendary hospitality!
A brief history lesson about Lexington’s Distillery District and the James E. Pepper Distillery:
Not many people know this, but the Pepper family name traces back to the very earliest roots of America’s bourbon industry - when Kentucky was still part of Virginia and we were fighting the Brits in the Revolutionary War.
What is now Woodford Reserve Distillery in neighboring Woodford County was originally founded by Elijah Pepper in 1812, then expanded by his son, Oscar Pepper, in the early and mid 1800’s.
In 1879, Elijah’s son, James Pepper, built the nation’s largest and most technologically advanced distillery in America, the humongous James E. Pepper Distillery in downtown Lexington along Town Branch Creek. James and his wife traveled the world, promoting and building the Pepper brand of whiskey into one of the greatest names in history.
Troubles ensued - Prohibition and others - eventually leading to the utter abandonment and decay of the Pepper property.
Until 2008, when after 50 years of decay, entrepreneur and historian Amir Peay embarked on a mission to bring James E. Pepper back to prominence!
Today, the James E. Pepper Distillery is the chief cornerstone of downtown Lexington’s revitalized Distillery District where dozens of restaurants, bars, shopping and party venues attract thousands of guests each and every day!
2024’s Race Expo
“Packet Pick Up”
Friday, May 10
Full details coming as we get closer to May!
Friday, May 10
Enjoy Kentucky Cuisine!
All throughout Expo Day!
11:30am - 7:00pm
Talon Winery
A brand new addition to our annual repertoire! While you’re mingling and enjoying Talon Winery’s beautiful grounds and our very own Race Expo, also taste and enjoy local cuisine prepared just for you, on the spot!
Paired with local craft beers - and best of all, Talon’s wines!
Friday, May 10
Wine Tastings!
+ Wine Bar
Noon, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00pm
Upstairs in Talon Winery’s historical tasting room dating back to the 1800s, with Winemaker Will Mullett, experience four different varietals direct from Talon Vineyards and take home a souvenir wine glass!
$25/person
Max 20 guests. One hour long.
Private Tastings with the Winemaker!
11:00am - 8:30pm
With live music from 6:00-9:00pm!
By the bottle or by the glass, sip on Talon Winery’s favorites while strolling the grounds or sitting out in the back yard!
Wine Bar Open All Day Long!
Race Day VIP
Saturday, May 11
7:00am - 1:00pm
Talon Winery
Hot brunch served by famously popular Bluegrass Bayou Catering on Talon Winery’s grounds with all-you-can-drink craft beer to go with.
Indoor restrooms and VIP Parking also included as part of your Race Day VIP Experience!
$125/person
Race Day
Saturday, May 11
7:30am
Talon Winery
Gates open at 6:00am
Parking information plus all the other race morning details will be distributed as we get closer to May.
Our Major Partners
