Keeneland is abuzz preparing for the 2018 Blue Grass Stakes: the stables are filled with the finest hay, the concession stands are filled with the finest bourbon, and the racetrack is filled with the finest road salt. “It might snow this Saturday,” said Keeneland commentator Pierre van Button, who plans to buy a tiny ice scraper in case his four-inch thick glasses freeze over, “but the race must go on.”

A cart, on loan from Red Mile and pulled by one of their trotters, instead of a thoroughbred picked from one of Keeneland’s demigods of dash, wheels out barrels of artisinal road salt across the dirt track. Snow preparation is not limited to the track, however. Steps are being taken all across Keeneland and surrounding horse country.

The Blue Grass Stakes front-runner, Champion Good Magic, is getting his ice cleats hammered in by a farrier who was recently flown in from Minnesota, while other owners are preparing for Saturday’s pending snowpocalypse by simply not shaving their horses. The morning line 5-1 colt Free Drop Billy currently resembles a huge Pomeranian. Flameaway jockey Jose Lezcano hopes that the winter weight he, himself, put on will provide enough traction in the snow. “That, and the owner thought I should lay off the burgoo,” added Lezcano.

The threat of snow extends past the athletes. Keeneland concessions are stocking up on milk and bread while spectators are looking for pastel fur coats. “How are we gonna get through the cold with only this cocaine and bourbon,” asked one 43-year old man in a pink bowtie, nervously thumbing through his wallet, before correcting himself, “I mean bourbon and COKE.”

The Red Mile grounds crew explained that they’re happy to help Keeneland prepare for their opening weekend. However, if the snow hasn’t cleared in time for their own racing season they’ll just try a different approach. “We’ll just wrap the buggy wheels with chains.”