The Keeneland Race Track is offering a classroom experience for hundreds of Lexington area students. School children are being educated this week on the finer points of the historic facility, and Keeneland officials hope the youngsters become racing fans.
Hundreds of excited fifth graders started their morning in the sales pavilion. When it came time for a mock horse auction, everyone got quiet.
After a fiberglass horse sold for over $1 million , no payment required, the fifth graders split up and went to demonstrations, such as a practice ride, mechanical horse-style, under the direction of a North American Racing Academy Instructor.
Coordinating the event for Keeneland was Haley Robic. She says part of the aim is to instill a love for the track in the elementary students. “Keeneland thinks it’s very important to educate the students in our community about the importance of the thoroughbred industry, both economically, culturally, and socially,” said Robic.
By week’s end, some 2800 fifth graders from 31 public and private schools will have gotten the equine experience.?
