Letter to the Editor: Putting a Number on Potential: 31,487

[Wandering Eyes]

by Anne Sabatino Hardy
Executive Director, Horse Country

That’s the number left over when you subtract attendance numbers of the record-high 2015 Kentucky Derby (170,513) from the 202,000 views of Claiborne Farm’s virtual stallion tour on Facebook (March 17). In fact the TDN’s own post-production treatments of virtual tours and unique online content have spawned their own virality.

Right now, there’s no place more populated than the internet and social media. It’s safe. It doesn’t require planes, trains or automobiles. It’s low-cost, low-barrier and high desire. And, interestingly, the same refrain we may use to warn off ill-considered social media posts could very well be an opportunity for us to change the narrative and define our story.

The internet is forever. And right now, it’s where everyone lives. Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube. Zoom.

So let’s populate the internet this weekend–and beyond– with all the unvarnished and authentically beautiful content we take for granted every day. The goofy (“Bobby!”), the lovely, the emotional, the freewheeling, the grandeur and the grinding.

Churchill Downs and its #KyDerbyatHome have provided us an opportunity–let’s take it together. If there’s something Visit Horse Country has learned over the years it’s that we’re better together, and these last few weeks, that people are mesmerized by the opportunity to engage with our stories, sport and athletes. The team at Amplify gave us a roadmap yesterday–let me encourage you to take a drive. Have some fun, tell your favorite derby memory, raise a toast, share a recipe, or share another’s post if you see one you love. Amp up your connections to participate! And use the hashtag!

This week, all Visit Horse Country tours have been Derby-focused. On Saturday morning, Claiborne will go live on Churchill’s official social channels at 10 AM, Hallway Feeds has designed a “Most Oddly Satisfying Two Minutes in Sports” charity race, VisitLEX will host a virtual Derby party with Jon Carloftis (garden designer extraordinaire and Salonniere 100 Best Host three years in a row).

What’s your plan for #KyDerbyatHome?

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