Where to eat Kentucky Derby-style before the Derby Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville:

For approximately a week and two minutes, Parker's Blue Ash Grill, at Cooper Road and Reed Hartman Highway, will play up the Kentucky Derby. The restaurant, already horse racing-themed, started offering Derby specials and a hat contest Saturday.

        Chef Ron Wise, formerly of the Iron Horse Inn in Glendale, is cooking his burgoo recipe. The main secret to this Kentucky classic is to put as much as possible into it. He's using veal, chicken, pork, okra, corn and Kentucky butter beans. (Call it a Kentucky cassoulet if you want, he says.)

        He's also serving farm-raised Kentucky trout with a sourdough bread stuffing, baby hot browns for an appetizer and bourbon beef sandwiches. For dessert, there's that chocolate pecan pie that you're not allowed to call Derby Pie because the name is copyrighted.

        Parker's always serves mint juleps, the real kind made with fresh mint. This week, it's also making bourbon slushes.

        Further Derby festivities will include a contest for the wackiest hat — something you've worn to the Derby, perhaps. Dinner for two and a wreath of roses for your neck will be first prize. Entries will be accepted until 5 p.m. Saturday. They will be displayed in the Jockey Lounge.

        Information, reservations: 891-8300.

        If you want atmosphere closer to the real thing, you can watch — and wager on — all the races from Churchill Downs on Derby Day at Turfway Park in Florence.

        Turfway's Homestretch Room restaurant, plus its larger dining room, will be open and serving a buffet starting at noon. Cost: $20, includes lunch, a racing program and TV views of the races everywhere you look.

        Information: (859) 371-0200; www.turfway.com.

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Trot to Parker's or Turfway for Derby dining
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