Legacy Downs at WarHorse Casino Lincoln is preparing for its annual Kentucky Derby Day celebration on Saturday, May 2, featuring watch parties, contests and promotions tied to one of horse racing’s biggest events.
Doors open at 8:30 a.m., with reserved seating in the simulcast and sportsbook areas held until 11 a.m. Organizers say indoor seating is already sold out, but additional first-come, first-served seating will be available in an outdoor party tent.
“It’s just an electric atmosphere,” said Lynne McNally with WarHorse Casino. “People are dressed up, everyone’s wearing their fancy hats, and we’ll have the Derby on every monitor in the building.”
The event will include giveaways of Woodford Reserve bottles throughout the afternoon, along with a grand prize drawing at 4 p.m. A Derby Hat Contest for attendees 21 and older will also be held before the featured race, with cash prizes awarded in the form of racing vouchers.
Food and merchandise will be available on site, including mint julep glasses, themed T-shirts and $5 “Derby dog” specials in the party tent.
Organizers say the celebration is typically one of the busiest days of the year and also serves as a lead-in to the start of live racing season in Lincoln later this month.