And they’re off, once again! Woodlawn students race in stick horse Derby

Published 2:09 pm Monday, May 3, 2021

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A Woodlawn Elementary School kindergartener gets a piggyback ride, her eyes smiling and her hair blowing in the wind. She was the last child to cross the finish line in the last stick horse Derby race Woodlawn conducted for kindergarteners on Friday. First graders were in the audience as spectators since, due to COVID-19, they weren’t able to do the race last year. The race was held on the turf field at Boyle County High School. - Photo by Olivia Mohr

PHOTOS BY OLIVIA MOHR AND ROBIN HART

In recognition of the Kentucky Derby, Woodlawn Elementary School kindergarteners gathered on the turf field at Boyle County High School on Friday to host their own Derby, except they ran on foot holding stick horses.

Since the now-first-graders who were kindergarteners last year weren’t able to have a stick horse Derby last year due to COVID-19, they were in the audience for the race as spectators so they could have a way to participate.

Many of the children wore elaborate hats, spring dresses and other Derby-inspired dress.

Scroll through the gallery above to see some of the racers and audience members.

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