Chef Joe Castro's culinary surprises never cease at the smartly appointed English Grill in the historic Brown Hotel.

The list of well-known items assocated with Kentucky doesn't begin and /files/storyimages/with bourbon, horse racing and fried chicken. Here are some other things Kentucky and some suggestions for how to experience them anew.

Hope was alive for clearing weather last year when a few slivers of afternoon sunshine interrupted the gray day. Then, two hours before Derby, a canopy of rain clouds let loose, putting a damper on the grandstand finery - but not the infield fun.

An enterprising reporter talks his way into the Churchill  Downs jockeys' room during Derby Week and finds a world of hardboots, lively stories and lemon Pledge.

Theories abound as to why no Thoroughbred in 27 years has been able to capture horse racing's most coveted prize, the elusive Triple Crown.

A half-century has gone by since a small band of community boosters floated the iffy idea of organizing a pre-Derby city celebration called the Kentucky Derby Festival.

The stars shone brightly at the city's three biggest Derby Week wingdings. Photos by John Nation, David E.Fattaleh and Steven J. Shaluta Jr.