LEX18.com - Lexington, KY

Posted: Mar 10, 2010 1:59 PM

Keeneland is changing the ticketing process for fans interested in having their 2010 Maker’s Mark Mile commemorative bottle signed by UK basketball coach John Calipari.

Because of the limited time scheduled for this year’s April 9 bottle signing – Coach Calipari is available to sign bottles for two hours -- this year’s process includes a lottery-style giveaway for the 1,200 available tickets to the bottle signing.

The ticketing process will take place three days in advance of the actual signing at an event —on Tuesday, April 6, beginning at 11 p.m. and featuring a pep rally, music and festivities.  Only fans who secure a ticket in advance will be able to have their bottle signed.

“With the popularity of Coach Cal, the enthusiasm of the Big Blue Nation – and, understandably, the Coach’s limited time to sign during the recruiting season -- we felt it was important to create a process that made it is as fair and reasonable as possible for everyone involved, while also creating a fun, festive atmosphere,” said Keeneland President and CEO Nick Nicholson.

Here’s how the new process will work:

·         On Tuesday, April 6 beginning at 6 p.m., the first 1,200 fans will be allowed admittance to Keeneland’s Keene Barn and Entertainment Center.

·         At 11 p.m., Keeneland will begin giving tickets away to the up to 1,200 fans in attendance.

·         The tickets will be assigned lottery-style—not first-come, first-served.

·         The event will include music and a pep rally.

·         The Keeneland Barn and Entertainment Center is located inside Gate 1, the entrance across from the Man O’ War Boulevard. All traffic must enter through Gate 1, as Gate 2 and Gate 3 will be closed.

Once the tickets are distributed on Tuesday evening, fans should depart and then return—with tickets in hand—on Friday, April 9. Fans with tickets may begin lining up at 6:30 a.m. on Friday in order as assigned by their ticket number.

There is a limit of one bottle per person this year.