TV Crews Visit Bluegrass Region to Tape Programs

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Television crews from ABC and NBC blanketed the Bluegrass region the week of April 24 to tape separate features on the area.

ABC's "Good Morning America Weekend Edition" taped a city feature segment in and around Lexington, and at the same time, NBC Sports captured the Rolex Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park. Both programs are currently scheduled to air May 7, a day after the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).

The ABC crew visited Three Chimneys Farm, Keeneland, and the downtown Lexington area to learn more about the horse industry and the city's rich heritage. The crew taped Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones   at Three Chimneys and interviewed farm president Dan Rosenberg and stallion manager Sandy Hatfield.

Ted Bassett, who has been a significant figure in the Thoroughbred industry for years, having served as the president and chief executive officer of Keeneland and chairman of both the Keeneland Association and Breeders' Cup, hosted the crew, members of which also met with Van Meter Pettit, a prominent Lexington architect and son of former Lexington Mayor Foster Pettit.

"During the first weekend in May, all eyes are focused on Kentucky's special day -- the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs," said David Lord, president of the Lexingtotn Convention & Visitors Bureau. "To have the national audience's attention on Lexington's Bluegrass region the same weekend is phenomenal."

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