Secretariat. Ferdinand. Affirmed. Seattle Slew. The champions are back -- sort of. A slew of past Kentucky Derby winners are part of the field of 215 horses in Louisville's other derby. However, the thoroughbreds in the first ''Gallopalooza: Louisville's Sidewalk Derby" won't be racing in the May 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Gallopalooza's stallions and fillies are life-size fiberglass sculptures painted realistically or whimsically by more than 200 artists. The steeds will grace the city's sidewalks and landmarks May 2-Oct. 15 before being sold at a charity auction Oct. 23. They make their public debut in the Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Parade preview April 27. That's followed by other festival appearances at Waterfront Park, the parade on April 29, and, of course, Churchill Downs.
The enterprise benefits Brightside, a nonprofit organization dedicated to beautifying Greater Louisville. Other nonprofit groups, businesses, and individuals sponsored the horses for a fee and hired the artists. If sponsors fail to sell their horse in the auction, they buy back their steeds for $5,000. In the auction, they split winning bids with Brightside and the charity of their choice. On-line bidding begins five weeks before the live auction.
Call 502-574-4030 or 800-792-5595 or visit www.gallopaloozaderby.com for schedule, sponsors, horses.
