The spring meet at Churchill Downs opens with a week of events and racing leading up to the Kentucky Derby.
Now that the track has emptied out of spectators, workers will buzz through the night to prepare for a rainy Oaks.
There are plenty of Derby and Oaks horses already in the barns on the backside.
Thursday marked a decade for the celebration of bourbon, bluegrass and horseracing.
The smaller crowd, easier parking, and cheaper tickets are three reasons why the Wednesday of Derby week at Churchill Downs is becoming a tradition for some, whether they're from Louisville or not.
The free parking will be available at the Kentucky Expo Center, where a free shuttle will take racegoers to Churchill Downs.
The actual run for the roses will happen no different this 149th time than the other 148, but how it is viewed and who is there to watch is no longer the same.