Keeneland: Interview with Victoria Morgano

Interview with Victoria Morgano

I recently had an interview with Victoria Morgano, a college student that frequently attends Keeneland, and this is what she had to say.

A list of questions that I discussed with her included:

1) When you showed up, what did you think of Keeneland for the first time?

2) How many times have you been a visitor of Keeneland in your life?

3) What is your favorite aspect of Keeneland and why?

4) How has your experience with betting on horses gone? Have you won anything?

5) Have you participated in a breeder's auction? If not, would you like to?

6) Would you suggest other people visit Keeneland at some point in their life?

7) Have you had any bad experiences at Keeneland? If so, explain.

When she first showed up she said "I thought it was the prettiest race track ever," and she expressed how every time she attends a race it only gets better from there.  With being a frequent visitor she has attended Keeneland's events for the past four years and she goes about five to six times per year.  As a race horse owner, Keeneland is a way to bring her entire family together and it makes them closer.  Her experiences with betting have gone pretty well in her eyes.  She typically goes in with a plan of spending twenty dollars and she almost always comes out with making over a hundred dollars of profit, after buying her food and drinks.  Surprisingly, she has attended a breeder's auction and she said that her father actually bought a horse during it.  When asked if she would suggest other college students to attend Keeneland at some point she exclaimed "Yes, I think it is a great experience for college students to take part in!"  Fortunately, she has never had a bad experience at Keeneland.  Even when the weather has been bad she said she still ends up having a good time.  "Every day at Keeneland is a good day."

I was surprised with this interview because when I first talked to her about Keeneland she told me she went often, but I did not think that she went so frequently.  Also, I did not expect her to answer yes to have been a part of a breeder's auction.  Overall I feel that this was a good interview and it has opened me up to wondering how her experiences compare to other people.  I want to interview an older adult that frequently attends Keeneland and a staff member of Keeneland to see how their experiences compare or contrast Victoria's views.

Keeneland: Job Opportunities

Job Opportunities

My last two blog posts have talked about the Keeneland horse auctions.  I talked about the horses that have been sold and how a person attends an auction, whether as a buyer or a spectator.  Now I want to discuss the kind of jobs that Keeneland brings to the community.  

Keeneland offers many varieties of jobs.  Whether you are interested in working with the horses, the betting system, the concessions, or just the people.  Most of the workers will only work during the main events that are held a few times a year, but there are people working year round to maintain the grounds at tip top condition.  

There are usually jobs available to apply for at any time, all it takes is getting on Keeneland's main webpage and clicking on employment on the left hand side and you can scroll through to look at the different jobs available.  For example, right now there are four different jobs that are looking for workers.  They are a batwing equipment operator at the thoroughbred center, building services lead (clubhouse), recycling laborer (part-time), and building services maintenance technician available.  A quick overview of these jobs are as a batwing operator you will operate a tractor to mow the area around The Thoroughbred Center and also maintain and repair buildings and equipment.  A building services lead's (clubhouse) main job is to maintain activities at Keeneland and its structures.  A recycling laborer walks around and picks up recyclables and processes them at a recycling plant with the use of a forklift.  A building services maintenance technician's duty is to maintain the condition of all of the building structures on Keeneland's grounds.

Also, Keeneland offers an internship program for people that are at least eighteen, a junior or above, and pursuing an Associate, Bachelor or Graduate degree, or have recently graduated.  The interns will make $8.25 per hour no matter what area you are working in.  Available areas for internships are communications, event planning, graphic design, hospitality administration, library science, and marketing.

Citation:

Keeneland Association, Inc. "Employment Overview". Keeneland Racing and Sales. Keeneland Association, Inc, 2014. Web. 21 October 2014.

Keeneland: Attending an Auction

Attending an Auction

Following up my last post talking about Keeneland and the horses that have been auctioned off through the years and the many races that they have gone on to win, I am now talking about the task of attending one of these auctions.  This is a picture of a horse being sold at an auction and I found it by googling Keeneland horse auctions.  You may think that you have to be a rich person with a large knowledge of horses in order to attend one of these auctions, but anyone is allowed to show up and just witness the action.  It is free to attend an auction and they welcome people to come join in and read through the auction catalog about the horses.  Although, there are seats in the Sales Pavilion that are reserved for the buyers and sellers.

Now if you are planning to be a buyer and you want to purchase one of these amazing animals there are rules as to how and when you are allowed to see the horse and during the auction.  Buyers are encouraged to come check out the horse(s) that they plan to purchase ahead of time.  Some of theses horses will be in the Keeneland barns up to two days before the sale and you are allowed to inspect them from then until the day of the sale.  If you decide to inspect them all you have to do is go to the consignor's barn and ask that the specific horse be lead out for inspection.  You will likely need to bring along your trainer, bloodstock agent, or your veterinarian to assist in the inspection.  Any questions are open to ask the consignor's assistant during inspection.  Once inspections are finished the horses will then be taken to the holding ring behind the Sales Pavilion for one final inspection before the auction.

During the auction there is a system to how a person bids on horses.  Unlike most auctions, the buyers do not have paddles to raise if they want to make a bid.  Instead, the buyers make gestures towards the sales spotters in the Sales Pavilion that signal to the auctioneer that a bid has been made.  Once the auctioneer's hammer hits the table the horse is then signed over to the buyer.  Horses are usually required to be paid for within thirty minutes after the bid has been won.  Buyers who have been established with Keeneland have fifteen days to make the payment.  The horse is then allowed to stay at the barn for twenty-four hours before it must be transported off of the grounds.

Citation:

Keeneland Association, Inc. "Helpful Tips for New Buyers. Keeneland Racing and Sales. Keeneland                 Association, Inc, 2014. Web. 21 October 2014.

Keeneland Horse Auctions

Keeneland Horse Auctions

Everyone knows that Keeneland is famous for its racing and betting on horses and some people may even know about the fact that it is a non profit organization, but how many people know about the horse auctions?  That's right, hardly anyone you talk to knows anything about the horse auctions that go on multiple times each year.  

This picture comes from the Keeneland Organization website (https://www.keeneland.com/sales/about-keeneland-sales) discussing the auctions and when they are.  The two signature auctions that are held are the September Yearling Sale and the November Breeding Stock Sale.  These both go on during the fall in which the actual horse races are going on.  Also, there are the January Horses of All Ages Sale and the April Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale that go on in the spring.  This makes four sales per year with the July Selected Yearling Sale that ended in 2003.

The very first Keeneland auctions sale was in 1943, prior to World War II, due to the lack of ability for horse owners to ship their horses by railroad to Saratoga, New York for the yearling auction.  Out of this batch of horses the most notable sale was Hoop Jr. which won the Kentucky Derby in 1945.  

Since 1943 almost every continent has had a big time horse race that has been dominated by horses that were originally obtained through the Keeneland Horse Auctions.  These continents consisting of Europe, South America, Asia, and of course North America.  A few Keeneland sales alumni that have won the Breeders' Cup are Beholder, London Bridge, Mizdirection, New Year's Day, and Secret Circle.

Another huge race that has been dominated by Keeneland horses is the Triple Crown classic races.  Nearly half of the events have been won by horses sold at Keeneland.  There have been 19 Kentucky Derby winners, 21 Preakness winners, and 18 Belmont winners all from Keeneland.  It is pretty awesome what these horses from Keeneland have been able to do around the world.

Interview Questions

Interview Questions

I plan to interview these three different types of people about their experiences at Keeneland.

1. A staff member

2. An older adult that frequently visits Keeneland

3. A college student that frequently visits Keeneland

This is a list of questions I plan on asking:

Questions for Visitors

1. When you first showed up what did you think of Keeneland?

2. How many times have you been a visitor of Keeneland in your lifetime?

3. What is your favorite aspect of Keeneland and why?

4. How has your experience with betting on horses gone? Have you won anything?

5. Have you participated in a breeders auction?

6. Would you suggest other people visit Keeneland at some point in their life?

7. Have you had any bad experiences at Keeneland and if so, explain it?

Questions for Staff Member

8. Why did you want to work at Keeneland in the first place?

9. How long have you worked at Keeneland?

10. During a normal day, what does your job consists of?

Keeneland Charitable Giving

Keeneland Charitable Giving

Yes, everyone knows that Keeneland is widely known for its amazing horse racing events and famously known for the magnificent breeds of horses it auctions off each year for hundreds of thousands of dollars.  What I want to talk about though, is how Keeneland gives back to the community and in particular the charities in which it strives to help and fund.

Keeneland only has two major events per year, one in the spring and one in the fall, but how do they make enough money from these events to fund upgrades for the track and still have enough money to help with charities?  One big reason is because Keeneland is a non-profit organization, meaning that through all of the money it makes each year it will spend every penny on either improving the track or giving the money away. In 2005 there were 90 charitable organizations that received funding from Keeneland.(Press Release,2005) At that time Keeneland was giving around one million dollars away per year with a total of almost fourteen million throughout the years away.  Typically the organizations that are recipients of funding have something to do with the benefit of the Kentucky community or with the Thoroughbred industry.  

The Central Kentucky Blood Center received twenty thousand dollars in 2005 was being used to help build a new facility.  Also, Mission Lexington received ten thousand dollars to build a downtown dental clinic to help families of Fayette County. Many other organizations like: Midway Home Place, arts and cultural organizations, University of Kentucky School of Music, Lexington Opera Society, Kentucky Educational Television, and many more were recipients of funding.

A big question I have is that if all of the income goes to either improving the grounds or going to charities, how are staff members paid?  Or do all of the staff work as volunteers?

Citation:

Press Release. "Keeneland Annual Giving Exceeds $1 Million for 2005." the Horse. Press Release, 13 Dec.      2005. Web. 10 Oct. 2014.

Keeneland History and Mission

Keeneland History and Mission

This photo comes from (https://www.keeneland.com/about/our-history-mission) and shows what Keeneland looked like at the start of its career.  I decided to research a little about Keeneland due to the fact I am working on a research project and documentary on Keeneland for class.  I chose to start off with the gneral history of Keeneland and where it began.

Keeneland as most people might know is one of the most famous race tracks in the United States and Lexington, Kentucky to be more specific, but most people do not know that it also serves as a major breeding and auction ground for many horses.

Keeneland was first created in 1936, led by Hal Price Headley and Major Louis Beard.  These men sought out to not only make a horse race track, but to make the best horse race track and one that is cherished among everyone.  Even to this date the owners and staff that maintain this remarkable facility continue to keep its original roots and mission to lead in safety, integrity, and to preserve the history.

The track and grounds are open almost everyday for fans and tourists to walk around and look at, but the two main events are held each year in April and in October.  These events bring in thousands of tourists each year to witness this facility in action.  Many different races are held at each of these two times of the year.  Also, horses are auctioned off to the highest bidder during the nationally famous horse auctions.

A few questions I have for this article are; First, how much income does it make at each of these two events?  Second, how does this income keep the track running at top notch throughout the year?  Third, what components are upgraded each year with available funds?

My comment: "http://zacarthurwrd.blogspot.com/2014/10/keeneland-horse-sales-climbing-or.html?showComment=1412789849719#c1987369215041541373"

Citation:

"Keeneland Association,  Inc. Keeneland Racing and Sales. Keeneland Association, Inc, 2014. Web. 8            Sept. 2014."

Commonwealth Stadium

Commonwealth Stadium

I chose to talk about Commonwealth Stadium because like Rupp Arena it is another big athletic attraction to Lexington.  Both of these hosts athletic events during their seasons and Commonwealth Stadium is where the University of Kentucky's football team plays.  Like Rupp Arena it is in the process of being remodeled and expanded to allow for more seats to be added along with making the stadium more up to date and technical to meet the needs and desires of fans and prospective athletes.

   

Commonwealth Stadium was first built in 1973 at the price of $12 million on 86-acres of land.  At that time it had 57,800 seats available and with the most recent expansion it upgraded to 67,606.  This expansion came in 1999 and cost the university around $27.6 million overall.  Also, in 2005 a Bermuda grass playing surface was added to the stadium.  These expansions of Commonwealth stadium helped bring in more of a revenue by allowing more ticket sales to be sold in correlation with the sales from concessions and merchandise sales.  In this situation it is evident that with an expansion to a premier athletic facility the possibility for an increase in overall revenue is definitely a positive.  

While reading this article, I thought of a few questions.  First, how much will the new expansion of Commonwealth Stadium cost the university?  Second, where do the funds for this project come from in the university's financial plan?  Third, if this renovation was possible, why is there such a problem with the renovation of Rupp Arena?  Fourth, what is the gross profit of Commonwealth in a season compared to Rupp Arena in a season?

Rupp Arena: Local Economy

Rupp Arena: Local Economy

The local economy of Lexington, Kentucky is affected with every business or attraction in the area in some way.  Whether it be good or bad everything plays a part in stabilizing it or increasing it.  Not many other businesses produce more revenue and promote other businesses as much as Rupp Arena does.  Rupp is located at 430 W Vine St. and it definitely plays a huge role in the local economy of Lexington.  Rupp brings in roughly 23,000 fans each game with around 18 home games each year.  Not only are these fans spending money on their tickets, concessions, and merchandise, but the fans coming in from out of the area have to stay somewhere and eat somewhere when not at the game. 

There are close to a hundred hotels in the city of Lexington and many of these will be booked with loyal fans coming to stay the night for the game.  While in town these fans will need somewhere to eat before or after the game.  There are hundreds of local restaurants hungry for wildcat fans to serve.  Every type of food you can imagine is available in the city and are sure not to disappoint.  Also, people just might spend an extra day and make a weekend out of the trip.  This allows attractions like: Keeneland, Kentucky Horse Park, Aviation Museum of Kentucky, and the University of Kentucky Art Museum to get some recognition and attention.

So, clearly if you can't tell Rupp Arena is one of the biggest local economy boosters in the area.  It already brings in a lot of fans from out of the local area to watch games, just imagine if it was expanded to make room for more seating.  Do you know how much that would increase Lexington's local economy?

Lexington Cemetery

Lexington Cemetery

This photo comes from a website talking about the Lexington Cemetery and Henry Clay Monument.  It is of the Romanesque gatehouse and office of the Lexington Cemetery.  It was the very first rural cemetery located in Lexington, Kentucky.  This cemetery was first created in 1849 on only 40 acres of land and eventually expanded to 170 acres.  Also on the land features an arboretum and two large lakes that house many animals and critters.  The original gatehouse was built by John McMurty and torn down for the new Romanesque gatehouse to be built in 1890.  One of the most popular sites on the cemetery is the Henry Clay Monument, built in 1857, that is dedicated to Henry Clay, one of Kentucky's former senators and three time presidential candidates.  Other than being a senator and presidential candidate, Henry Clay is known for his attempt at securing a compromise between the states on the issue of slavery.  This monument is crafted from native limestone and is where Clay and his wife rest.  The design of the cemetery to this date resembles the original look of the cemetery and is kept up by many staff members.

Many famous and notable Kentuckians have been buried here throughout the years.  Many Union and Confederate soldiers lay to rest here along with veterans from the Spanish-American War.  Former vice president and general in the confederate army, John C. Breckinridge, under James Buchanan and John Lane Allen, author of "The Blue Grass Region of Kentucky" and "Flute and Violin," were buried here. 

A few questions come to mind as I read about the Lexington Cemetery.  First, why did they decide to build it in a rural area?  Second, why was John McMurty chosen to do the building and who is he?  Third, why were so many notable Kentuckians buried here instead of in other cemeteries?  Fourth, who was the architect for the Henry Clay Monument?  

Memorial Hall at University of Kentucky

Memorial Hall at University of Kentucky

This photo comes from Campus Guide-Memorial Hall on the University of Kentucky's website. I looked around for interesting monuments on the campus that most people would not know very much about during their time here.  I came across the Memorial Hall and decided to look up more about it on the internet.  

Memorial Hall was built in 1929 as a memorial for the lives lost in World War I.  This is a very important building on the universities campus that is used for many performances, lectures, and graduations from certain colleges.  There is a large fresco in the lobby of Memorial Hall that was completed in 1934 by Ann Rice O'Hanlon to give a depiction of Lexington.  Ann was a graduate of the university and constructed this for the Public Works of Art Project.  This structure stands at the end of Funkhouser Drive on 610 South Limestone Drive.  The image of Memorial Hall's Clock Tower is used in many advertisements for the university, especially the famous picture where the image of the clock tower splits the U and the K.

A few questions began to come to mind when reading about Memorial Hall.  First, what is the importance of World War I to the city of Lexington? Second, how does this memorial actually memorialize the lives lost during World War I?  Third, why was this building built at the place it is? Fourth, what depiction does the fresco give of Early Lexington? Fifth, how many names were dedicated at this memorial?