LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) -The go-to Lexington pastime of watching racehorses at Keeneland is back open for their Fall Meet.

On the first day, friends and family from all over have traveled to place their bets. However, for six-year-old Airivyn Walling, it’s the chance to see her very first horse.

“I’m feeling excited and nervous cause I never saw a horse race before,” Walling said.

But you don’t have to be six to be new to horse races as Joan Duncan got to finally experience the ‘moment of a lifetime’ after visiting Kentucky for decades.

“It is a dream come true,” Duncan said. “My brother and sister-in-law have lived here for twenty years and I’ve always wanted to come here cause I’m from Fargo, North Dakota.”

Duncan said she is coming home with more than a happy spirit and knowledge of horse racing.

“The horse I picked in the first race won, and so it is really amazing,” she said.

The opening day doesn’t just bring newcomers to the track but also lifetime fans like horse breeder Patty Tipton.

“It’s just an exciting time because a long shot could come and surprise you,” Tipton said. “It’s just the whole atmosphere and ambiance of Keeneland is second to none.”

Keeneland’s Fall Meet will run for the next twenty days on every Wednesday through Sunday till October 26th.

You can purchase tickets for the rest of the meets by visiting their website.

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