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While the most recent running of the Kentucky Derby saw Mystik Dan ride away as victor, it was far from the only race to be watched. 

The 2nd annual Clark County Preschool Derby recently took place at the school’s location at 30 Beckner Street. 

“We started it last year [and] we saw that all the kids and the teachers really enjoyed it”, said Barbara Conkwright, assistant teacher and leader of the spirit committee at Clark County Preschool.

With an enrollment of 270 students, Clark County Preschool staff is always looking for ways to engage others. 

At the school, a spirit committee comes up with plans and activities for what can be done year-round. 

Seeing that the month of May was upcoming, having a derby race came to mind right away. 

However, there was also much build-up to the day’s event, with all 16 classrooms being involved. 

“They all get to do a classroom horse name. So, they all get to choose whatever name they want their horse to be,” Conkwright added. “We did have some interesting names!” 

At the annual Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, fashion always takes centerstage – with bright sport coats, slim fit suits, pastels, chic dresses, and – of course – a variety of designer and fascinator hats. 

Clark County Preschool also found a way to make the day stylish. 

“We all dressed up,” Conkwright said. “We asked the parents to send in Derby wear. They can dress as a jockey. They can dress as a person going to the Derby in their fancy clothes. We have a family engagement [activity] every month. For the month of May, [it] was to make a Derby hat with your family. We had a lot of really great derby hats!” 

For the race itself, while pool noodles were used and modified to create horses for last year’s derby, students this year were given inflatables. 

Also, each class had its own competition, featuring boys and girls competitors racing against one another. 

The winner of each class represented their class in the two derby races. 

“Each child comes up. I say the name of their horse and their name, and everybody cheers for them,” Conkwright said. “They really enjoy that, and I love to be the one who helps those kids get recognized.” 

Yet that’s not all. 

While students cheered as they witnessed their own peers racing, they all cheered as teachers raced with fellow staff during their own derby. 

Though the anticipated date of the race was moved up one day forward due to anticipated rainy conditions, the excitement was palpable nonetheless. 

“It’s kind of like a big, make-believe scenario that the kids really enjoy,” Conkwright said. “I think the teachers really enjoy it too because we dress up as well.”