In what can only be described as the trip of a lifetime, America’s Best Racing, Horse Country, and Visit LEX have announced LEXtravaganza: a sweepstakes in which the winner and a guest will win an ultimate Kentucky getaway from April 12-15, 2018, featuring VIP access to racing at Keeneland; dining at the Ouita Michel family of restaurants, including Michel’s new concept, Honeywood; guided tours of local farms; a distillery visit; a shopping spree; and more.

The sweepstakes officially opened today and entries will be accepted until 10 a.m. on Nov. 7, when the winner will be selected. LEXtravaganza hopefuls can enter to win at https://www.americasbestracing.net/Lextravaganza-sweepstakes as well as gain an additional entry to the contest by tweeting, “I’ve signed up to win the LEXtravaganza Sweepstakes from @ABRLive, @KYHorseCountry, & @VisitLEX and you should, too!” through the contest’s Rafflecopter widget.

The winner and a guest will receive a gift card covering air travel to Lexington, Ky., for the packed three-day weekend, which will include a stay at 21c Museum Hotel and breakfast at Lockbox restaurant located at 21c as well as VIP visits to Horse Country member locations and Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Ky.

Additionally, the LEXtravaganza winner and guest will experience VIP hospitality at Keeneland, plus a $1,000 shopping spree at Ariat International’s new Lexington brand shop at The Summit at Fritz Farm, two hat or fascinator selections from the ABR Collection by Christine A. Moore Millinery, and a Bills Khakis ensemble (pants and shirt) from Logan’s of Lexington.

“Horse Country is a place you have to experience to believe, so we’re looking forward to hosting our winners with true Kentucky hospitality, and to showing them all of our favorite places and things to do,” said Anne Hardy, executive director of Horse Country.

“From the foaling barn to beyond the finish line, America’s Best Racing provides fans with a complete Thoroughbred experience. LEXtravanga takes it a step further,” said Stephen Panus, president of TJC Media Ventures. “We’re thrilled to send a lucky fan and their guest to the heart of the Bluegrass to experience an amazing weekend next spring thanks to a partnership with Horse Country and Visit LEX.”

“Lexington, Ky., is surrounded by more than 400 horse farms and nine bourbon distilleries, so we know horses and bourbon very well. But most people don’t know that our city is home to some of the best cultural, restaurant, and shopping experiences in the South,” explained Gathan Borden, vice president of marketing at Visit LEX. “We want people to be able to experience our southern hospitality firsthand, and what better way to do that than to partner with America’s Best Racing and Horse Country to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for someone. Lexington is one of those places where you get those big-city amenities with the backdrop of a small town, and we cannot wait to welcome the winner to a city that we love so much.”

About America’s Best Racing:

America’s Best Racing is a multimedia fan development and awareness-building platform, initiated by The Jockey Club, designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition.  You can follow America’s Best Racing at americasbestracing.net as well as on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Google+, Instagram, and Snapchat.

About Horse Country Inc.:

Based in Lexington, Ky., Horse Country is a not-for-profit that offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at the racing industry through tours of member farms, veterinary clinics, and other equine attractions in Kentucky. Check out Horse Country on Instagram @visithorsecountry, Facebook @kentuckyhorsecountry, and Twitter @kyhorsecountry.

For more information: www.visithorsecountry.com/

About the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit destination sales and service organization that promotes Lexington and the Bluegrass region as an outstanding destination for convention, business, and leisure travel. For more information, go to http://www.visitlex.com or follow them on the social media platforms of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube all under the username of @VisitLEX.

Aces set to play final round on Tuesday

 MURRAY, Ky. – Tyler Gray fired off a 6-under 65 in the opening round of the Murray State Invitational and ranks in a tie for third place with the first two rounds of play in the books at Miller Memorial Golf Course.

Gray’s score in the opening round put him on top of the leaderboard.  He finished the second round at 2-over par with a 73 and is tied for third place with a score of 138.

Matthew Ladd also had an impressive day at the links.  Ladd started the day with an even 71 before finishing with the low score on the squad in the second round, recording a 72.  He is tied for 15^th with a 143.

Seven behind Ladd is the duo of Noah Reese and Jessie Brumley.  Reese posted two rounds of 75 while Brumley checked in with scores of 76 and 74.  Cameron Weyer completed the UE contingent with a 155 on the day.  His low round came in the first 18 as he carded a 76.

Playing as an individual, Game Rohleder finished the day in a tie for 28^th.  He totaled an even 71 in the first round before notching a 75 to stand at a 145.  Robert Waggoner tied Weyer’s efforts with a 155.  His scored checked in at 77 and 78.

Murray State has the team lead with four of their top five ranking in the top 28.  Their day one score of 565 is three ahead of second-place UT Martin.  Western Illinois is third with a 571.  Hunter Richardson of the Skyhawks had the low round of the day – a 7-under 64 in round two – and leads the individuals with a 132.

Evansville is tied for 8^th in the team standings with a 581.  The Purple Aces are knotted up with Tennessee Tech.  They are one behind 7^th-place John A. Logan College and four in back of Austin Peay.

Tomorrow, the teams will play one more round.