And They're Off

The Kentucky Derby Museum is a premier tourist attraction, featuring an award-winning movie titled The Greatest Race.

Displayed on a 360-degree screen, the thrilling film places the viewer right in the center of Derby Day action.

Other exhibits include "Place Your Bets," which illustrates parimutuel wagering, and the "Warner L. Jones, Jr. Time Machine," which allows visitors to select footage of Derbies as far back as 1918.

The actual finish-line pole used at Churchill Downs for many years, as well as the grave sites of three famous Kentucky Derby winners
-- Carry Back (1961), Swaps (1955) and Brokers Tip (1933) -- are located just outside on the museum grounds.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is located in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., across from the historic Saratoga Race Course, the oldest operating track in the country.

The Hall of Fame was created to recognize and honor deserving athletes -- currently there are 173 thoroughbreds, 86 jockeys and 61 trainers on the rolls.

If you've got the time, a visit to Hong Kong should be included in your track tour as well.

Horse racing here commenced in 1841 with the arrival of the British, who immediately set about draining a malarial swamp to form a racetrack at Happy Valley. With the exception of a few years during World War II, the track has seen nonstop action ever since.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club was founded in 1884 and changed from an amateur to a professional organization in 1971, and the adjacent Hong Kong Racing Museum provides a valuable insight into how the sport here has evolved since its mid-19th-century beginnings.

The Winner's Circle

If you're getting a last-minute itch to go to Louisville, general admissions tickets will be available on Oaks Day (the filly version of the Derby, held May 4) for $25, and Derby Day (May 5) for $40 at any gate entrance.

Children under 12 can attend free of charge when accompanied by an adult, and these tickets do allow access into the paddock and infield areas.

Keep in mind, though, these are not seats and are considered "walk around" tickets.

Or get pampered like a Triple Crown owner with a Derby package from Sports Traveler. Most are sold out for this year, but you can still book for the Preakness or the Belmont Stakes, or start planning for 2008. Derby packages include box seating and lunch for both the Oaks and Derby, as well as three nights lodging. Prices range from about $1,500 to $3,300.

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