The Queen Visits Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day

Churchill Downs staff and security are preparing for a visit from Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Phillip, who will attend Saturday’s running of the 133rd Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
 The gesture is part of her official royal visit to the United States.

Official spokesperson for Churchill Downs Inc., Julie Koenig Loignon, said that guest services staffers who will come in contact with Her Majesty have undergone extensive etiquette training, and security officers assigned to the queen’s guard detail have also been briefed on proper protocol.

“Amazingly enough, preparing for the queen’s visit hasn’t tied up every single person on our staff,” Koenig Loignon said. “We appreciate the fact that she is fairly self-contained as far as having people to help with her security. Of course, Secret Service agents will play a huge part in moving her from city to city and in and out of our event in a manner that will keep her safe with a minor amount of inconvenience to our other guests.”

The Queen is scheduled to arrive sometime mid-afternoon on Derby day, Koenig Loignon said. “She will be escorted to the area where she will be situated for the day, and en route to that occasion she will stop for a media opportunity before going to her seats. Of course Chef Gil Logan is preparing an excellent menu for her, and she may come outside on the balcony if she wants to get a closer look at what’s happening. It’s really a very light schedule compared to what she’s used to doing.”

The Queen and Prince Philip will attend the 133rd Derby as part of a six-day trip to the United States that also includes visits to Virginia and Washington, D.C. The queen has visited Kentucky four times — in 1984, 1986, 1989 and 1991 — but has never been to Louisville.

Meanwhile, a full field of 20 horses will be running for the $2 million Derby title, the first jeewel of the Triple Crown. Undefeated horse Curlin was named morning line odds favorite at 7-2. See complete Kentucky Derby contenders and odds >>

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"The Queen Visits Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day" was posted on 3 May 2007 9:06 PM under Horse Racing News, Kentucky Derby, Race Tracks, Trainers, Triple Crown

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