By Patrick Crowley
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FLORENCE - Kentucky thoroughbred racing just doesn't seem right without Kentucky bourbon.

This year, for the first time, Turfway Park's $500,000 Lane's End Stakes will have its own signature bottle of bourbon.

Maker's Mark, the central Kentucky distiller of world famous bourbon, will issue a limited edition bottle commemorating the 33rd running of the annual stakes race. This year's Lanes End is scheduled for March 20; the bottle will go on sale March 9.

"We are extremely proud that Maker's Mark has decided to recognize the Lane's End Stakes with this special bottle," Turfway Park President Bob Elliston said Tuesday.

Only 1,200 of the bottles will be produced. Maker's Mark typically dips each bottle of bourbon into a signature red wax. For Turfway the bottles will be double-dipped in green over yellow wax. Green and yellow are the colors of the racing silks at Lane's End, the Woodford County horse farm that sponsors the race.

"We are delighted not only to add this special bottle to the race's history but also to thank our loyal customers with this one-of-kind presentation of Maker's Mark," said Maker's Mark Bill Samuels Jr.

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com