Cool Keeneland
Regarding the Bill Doolittle article on Keeneland (LEO Weekly, Oct. 12) — nicely done. As a Louisville native and 40-year racing fan, I have visited most of the tracks in America. Keeneland is by far the most beautiful track in the country and presents horse racing “as it was meant to be” — starting with the picturesque setting and surroundings to the neat/classy appearance of the track, the tradition, to the customer friendly environment with courteous and nicely dressed employees who go out of their way to make your experience first class.
Keeneland is the exact opposite of Churchill Downs, which typifies the difference between a nonprofit customer-oriented track vs. a stock-owned corporate profit-driven track. I used to go to Churchill three to four days per week during the meets and always attended Oaks and Derby. In a previous corporate life, I spent probably more than $500,000 in Marquee Village tents, sponsorships, events, Turf Club Memberships, etc. at Churchill. Those days are over. Churchill’s new policies of forcing purchase of Turf Club Memberships or season box seats to retain Oaks and Derby tickets, the poor quality customer service, the recent $50 “request for tickets” fee (which is not refundable if you don’t get your Oaks/Derby tickets) along with many other new policies crosses the line of corporate greed.
My peers and I no longer spend our time and money at Churchill Downs. They will make $98 million off Oaks and Derby, plus the new “hip” night racing parties for the “twentysomethings” and be happy … without me. If you really want to enjoy horse racing, make the drive to Keeneland.
M. Patterson, East End
All Night Long
Dear Bar Belle:
Just wanted to say thanks a ton for your hilarious articles in LEO. I work third shift as a security guard, and every Wednesday evening when I get my LEO, your article is the first I want to read. I love your “take it or leave it and don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out” attitude, and it always gives me a good laugh, even at 3 a.m. when all I want to do is stare at the backs of my eyelids. Thanks for keeping me awake! Happy bar hopping!
Kelly Lietz, Valley Station
Takin’ It To The Streets
Does anyone else think that the Doobie Brothers’ hit “Takin’ It To The Streets” would make a great theme song for Occupy Wall Street? It could be played all over the country at various protest sites at the same time — for example, 9 a.m. in San Francisco and noon in New York. It would drive the folks at Fox “News” crazy — they’d be hearing it in their sleep.
C.C. Griffin, East End
Nowhere to Turn
I’m an octogenarian who at middle age realized compassion, truth, honor and openness could not always be found in our nation’s capital. I did believe these qualities were constantly present at our colleges/universities.
Alas, knowing of some of the missteps of the president of U of L and heads of other institutions of higher learning, it’s obvious these highly paid people received an education that failed them. Ugh!
Bob Moore, East End
Bad Steel
The Courier-Journal reported a couple of weeks ago that the steel used in constructing the Sherman Minton Bridge (as well as the JFK bridge) was faulty (prone to cracking), although there was no further explanation. Neither was it explained where that steel was made and why it was used. It was cheaper, I suppose, but I still would like to know where it was made. An inquiring public would like to know.
Rick Cushing, Jeffersonville, Ind.
Common Good
President Obama and every candidate running against him in 2012 should have to answer publicly these questions: How do you define “the common good”? Should every candidate elected to public office work for the common good? What will you do to work for the common good? The emcees who conduct the political debates on television should ask these questions.
Paul L. Whiteley Sr., St. Matthews
