The Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs prepares for Derby weekend

FRANKLIN, Ky. (WBKO) - One of the best-known sporting events in the world takes place this weekend, The Kentucky Derby, and if you can’t make it to Churchill Downs to sip on some mint juleps, then The Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs may be the place for you.

John Wholihan, the Director of Marketing at The Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs says “starting on Friday, it’s a day that you can bet the Oaks and the Oaks card at Churchill Downs as part of their opening weekend. But you can also bet the whole Derby Day card on Friday here.”

Wholihan adds, “Saturday, we’re here the whole day, of course, and things really get hoppy with a food truck after 11 in the morning, extra food and beverage outlets open, it’s dine-in only in our Corner Cafe.”

He also says that if you’d like to place a bet, but have other derby festivities, “in case you have other plans, you can get some of your bets made on Friday for the big Derby race.”

The Mint Gaming Hall at Kentucky Downs says they continue enforcing the COVID-19 guidelines inside the facility.

“We have hot dog carts, we’ve got all kinds of beer tubs and different stations around because we have to bet in the simulcast area, as we always do. But also up in the bingo hall will be wide open with extra betting machines and all those bingo tables.

Wholihan also says they’ll have the traditional mint juleps.

The Run for the Roses is Saturday, May 1st, at 5:50 p.m ct.

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