This past weekend (yesterday and the day before) was my first full weekend off from work in several weeks, and it was filled with a plethora of Bluegrass-tinged sporting events.

First, on Friday evening, was the first official practice for the 2010-2011 University of Kentucky basketball teams. In reality, it’s not much of a practice.

Instead, it’s a chance to introduce the teams (new and returning players) to the 24,000 or so fans in attendance and to the many, many more watching the proceedings on TV. And, in addition, the event is a huge pep rally and party.

Thanks to a friend who had extra tickets, we were able to go to this year’s Big Blue Madness, and it was the immense, loud spectacle we had expected … and, of course, a lot more fun in person than on TV.

Rupp Arena's student section -- the "Eruption Zone" -- in all its crazy blue-and-white glory before the UK women's basketball team was introduced; after their scrimmage, the banner was over and the men's team was introduced ... all to music provided by the DJ for the Washington Wizards (the new team of last year's superstar, John Wall)

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Saturday turned a bit hot in the end, but it started out as a cool, sunny morning, perfect for some autumn-inspired comfort food:

mmmm ... pumpkin French toast casserole; it was delicious, and no, I didn't eat all of it

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Then … it was off to Keeneland for a beautiful day at the races.

a series of barns at Keeneland; this photo is actually from earlier in the week, when we took an out-of-town friend to see Keeneland on a non-race day

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the calm before the storm: this photo is also from Monday, before the Saturday crowds descended ...

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... a small portion of Saturday's huge crowds, enjoying the sunshine and the Thoroughbreds

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the view from our box (this, again, was thanks to a friend with extra tickets)

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And, finally, there was a home game at UK’s football stadium that same evening. I’m sorry to say that we didn’t go to that particular Saturday sporting event, so I don’t have any photos. But we did watch on TV as our Wildcats managed a rather extraordinary, beautiful win over the University of South Carolina. Go Cats!!