To celebrate this year’s 138th Annual Kentucky Derby, Clinton County’s kindergarten class spent the better part of an hour outside running its own derby of sorts … with stick horses.

The event for the students has been somewhat of a tradition, holding their own races on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby.

Each race is divided by classes and this year there were six races with one winner from each class.

In the top photo, Bentley Boils, right, won his class race, representing Ms. Lisa Smith’s class. Other winners are pictured in the bottom photo, from left to right: Andrew Whittenburg – Ms. Tammy Cook’s class; Jonathan Conner – Ms. Jackie Frye’s class; T. J. Smith – Ms. Tracy Goodman’s class; Jonna Upchurch – Ms. Tiffany Norris’ class; Jamison Branham – Ms. Patricia Riddle’s class.

In the middle photo, students were showing excitement before the races began on Friday, May 4. Students decorated their stick horses much like the actual Kentucky Derby.

The Clinton County High School Band was also present to provide the musical selection “My Old Kentucky Home” and the call to post for each race.