Fast facts

Numbers

• 18 — The number of countries represented by Breeders’ Cup ticket purchases.
• 50 — The number of states represented by Breeders’ Cup ticket purchases.
• $900,000 — The amount secured in state and local tax revenues.
• $30.5 million — The amount of money brought in at the track through wagering, concessions, parking, merchandise, and more. Fun fact: There were an additional 248 employees during the festivities, bringing the total payroll to over $7.7 million.
• $33.6 million — The amount spent around town including hotels, retailers, food and drink, transportation, and off-track entertainment.
• $17.5 million — The amount brought in through Keeneland upgrades, which included $10 million in track improvements + $7.5 million in labor and material costs.
• $189.1 million — The new record for global wagering the Breeders’ Cup set this year, 3.4% higher than the previous record set in 2021.
• $122.9 million — The new individual day wagering record for the Championship Saturday racing program.

• Start a podcast! | Tuesday, Mar. 21 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Northside Branch, 1733 Russell Cave Rd., Lexington | Free | In this hands-on workshop, learn how to start and record your own podcast with professional production and audio editing tips.

• Books + Bubbles with Beth Chappo | Wednesday, Mar. 22 | 5-7:30 p.m. | The Blushery, 825 National Ave., Lexington | $25-$75 | Grab your besties for an evening of fashion, bubbles, and an exclusive chat with former Lexingtonian, author, and influencer, Beth Chappo.
• Murder Mystery Dinner | Wednesday, Mar. 22 | 7 p.m. | The Kentucky Castle, 230 Pisgah Pike, Lexington | $85-$98 | Enjoy a delicious dinner, but don’t get too comfy, there’s a murderer on the loose.

• Golden Hour Hike to the Kentucky River | Thursday, Mar. 23 | 6-8 p.m. | Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Rd., Lexington | Free | End your day with a quiet and relaxing “golden hour” hike at Floracliff while the early evening sunset shines through the trees.

• Kane Brown | Friday, Mar. 24 | 7 p.m. | Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St., Lexington | $38.50-$150 | See the multi-platinum country artist, whose genre-bending hits have paired him with DJ Marshmello, John Legend, and Nelly, live in concert.

• Silent Disco | Saturday, Mar. 25 | 6-9 p.m. | Base249, 249 E. Main St. Ste. 150, Lexington | $10 | Enjoy your choice of beer, cocktails, or mocktails as you dance the night away to the sounds of your own headset.

• 58º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

• After declaring bankruptcy, discount retailer Tuesday Morning will be closing 250+ stores nationwide, including two Lexington storefronts at 125 E. Reynolds Rd. and 1555 E. New Circle Rd. Stop by to shop the store closing sale with major discounts on a wide variety of house decor. (LEX18)

• Today through Friday, March 24, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., there will be shoulder closures along Harrodsburg Road and New Circle Road. Drivers should be mindful as sign work will take place along Harrodsburg Road by the crossover-double diamond + the on and off ramps for Exit 2 on New Circle Road.

• Institute 193 announced its original gallery at 193 N. Limestone is now a project space dedicated to supplemental events called Institute 193 Presents. Head there this Thursday, March 23 at 6 p.m. for the inaugural presentation “Sudden Blow,” which will feature two films by local artist and filmmaker, Sarah Moyer.

• Congratulations to the Transylvania women’s basketball team who are headed to the Division III National Championship game for the first time in school history. The Pioneers will play for the championship trophy against the Christopher Newport Captains in Dallas on Saturday, April 1. (WKYT)
• We might still be licking our wounds from March Sadness, but the UK men’s baseball team has stepped in to fill that Big Blue void. The Wildcats are currently ranked No. 23 in Division-I baseball, with an 18-2 record. See them in action tonight as they host EKU at 6:30 p.m. (LEX18)

• For this week only, Coffee Times is bringing us a cup of spring flavors with its special Flower Shop Cortado. The drink features a double shot of espresso, steamed milk, and is sweetened with rose + lavender syrup. But don’t wait too long — it’s only available through Sunday, March 26.

• To help with students’ recycling decisions on campus, UK has installed Oscar Sort — an artificial intelligence waste-sorting system. Oscar can automatically identify if an item someone is disposing of is recyclable or waste. The data it collects will help guide decisions about recycling on campus. (UKNOW)

• Pro tip: Becoming a Kroger Boost member comes with perks like free grocery delivery, double fuel points, and specialty savings. Learn more and join. 🛒 *

• Sometimes, life gets in the way of achieving our dreams. In Northern KY, local colleges are working to increase graduation rates with support from Duke Energy. The Moon Shot for Equity program provides assistance to underserved students experiencing significant challenges to degree completion. Learn more.*

• What’s in: red light therapy. What’s out: forms of treatment that are painful and invasive. Red light therapy is non-invasive and painless, and evidence suggests it may be able to ease body aches, heal sun damage, and build collagen. Brb — we’re adding this easy-to-prop light and this facial massager to our Amazon cart.

• Country Boy vs. West Sixth
• Mirror Twin vs. Rock House