Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it is indeed that time of year. It is truly a phenomenon: a sporting event lasting merely two minutes which spawns several weeks worth of party, celebration, and debauchery. This isn't like March Madness where the month-long excitement lasts only for the length of the tourney; no, we tear the city apart in order to celebrate just a few minutes of horses running. Many people find this exciting.
The Kentucky Derby is uniquely Louisville, and it has its extreme fans just like anything else. At my real job, I've worked events featuring former jockeys, and these men are revered by those around them. Tomorrow, Baxter Avenue Theater presents a chance to meet one of the most legendary with the world premiere of the documentary Secretariat's Jockey, Ron Turcotte
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Secretariat, of course, is the horse that won the Triple Crown back in 1973, setting all sorts of records which still stand today. He even had his own movie a few years back, filmed right here in Louisville. This new film, however, is the true story of the man who rode the horse to victory, Ron Turcotte, and his life following his historic race, leading up to his paralyzing fall in 1978.
The event is tomorrow, Thursday, starting at 6:30 with a VIP cocktail reception with Turcotte himself, as well as Penny Chenery, Secretariat's owner. VIP tickets, which also include premium reserved seating, cost $100. Those wishing to just see the film can snag tickets for $50. Tickets can be purchased by calling 502-893-7997 or online at Secretariat's official website.
Baxter Avenue Theater is located at 1250 Bardstown Road.
Image: Secretariat website
