LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville is gearing up for the 150th Kentucky Derby, and the city is starting to look more festive with the return of Gallopalooza.
In celebration, 150 workers from the Churchill Downs Backside Learning Center made their mark on Monday with their own Gallopalooza horse.
It's called "Because of You" or, "Es Por Ustedes," and includes a handprint of each worker to showcase the spirit of the backstretch, and their name and job title written alongside it.
Organizers said the horse serves as a reminder of the invaluable role backside workers play in the horse racing industry. More than 1,000 workers work behind the scenes at Churchill Downs grooming, hot-walking, exercise riding, caring for, feeding and training horses on- and off-season, organizers said.
"Without them, horse racing would not be possible," said Sherry Stanley, executive director of the Backside Learning Center. "So we want to use this as an awareness piece to get people thinking about the work they do on the backside, and that they are the backbone of the industry."
The Brightside Foundation gifted the Gallopalooza horse for the project.
"By identifying the people and their job titles, this piece illuminates just how many hands work together in the racing community, and in this cultural landmark of Louisville," Sara Noori, a local multidisciplinary artist and educator who helped facilitate the donation from Brightside, said in a news release.
The 150 horses for this year's Gallopalooza will be unveiled at Churchill Downs' First Turn Club from March 22-24. Organizers said the "Because of You" horse statue will sit at the Louisville Thoroughbred Society on East Main Street from April to October.
Gallopalooza was founded in 2004. Since then, over 500 decorated horse statues grace sidewalks and businesses in Kentuckiana, showcasing the creativity and talent of local artists. It was relaunched for the 150th Kentucky Derby in partnership with Louisville's beautification program and Churchill Downs.
This year marks the 20th anniversary for Gallopalooza. It was most recently brought back in 2015.
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Race to Kentucky Derby 150:
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- 'Liberated' | Kentucky Derby Festival unveils 2024 official poster
- Tickets now on sale for Kentucky Derby week, Spring Meet at Churchill Downs
- Churchill Downs unveils special trophy for 150th Kentucky Derby
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- IMAGES | Brand new $200 million paddock project taking shape at Churchill Downs ahead of Kentucky Derby 150
- 'Race to 150' celebration marks 150 days until 150th Kentucky Derby
- And they're off! Tickets on sale for Kentucky Derby 150 and bet on paying for the experience
- Churchill Downs unveils official art for the 150th Kentucky Derby
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