Rolling High at Churchill Downs

 

Kentucky Derby Teams Up with
The Horse Race Game for Wild Ride

-- LOUISVILLE, KY & GRAND RAPIDS, MI
Two Grand Rapids, MI entrepreneurs are off to the races with a coveted Kentucky Derby license for their budding game business.

Boardwalk Design Inc. of Grand Rapids, MI and All Pro Championships, Inc. of Louisville, KY have teamed up to bring Kentucky Derby fans a face-paced horse race game and souvenir set just in time for the holidays.

The deal was announced during a private preview party at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. There, more than 500 industry sponsors and vendors gathered to see the latest and greatest in Derby collectibles.

The collector edition of the game features a commemorative Kentucky Derby pin and seal.

"It's not just another board game...It's a really, really fun game that totally engages the crowd," said Ben Erps, President of All Pro Championships Inc.
During the sneak preview, crowds were rolling in the aisles -- rolling dice, that is. The object of the game is to roll your way to a win without scratching to collect the purse, which can be fun money or the real deal.

Boardwalk co-founder Tim Lutz designed the family favorite after folks kept borrowing a set he constructed for Christmas one year. Partner Geoff Weirich prompted him to bring the beautifully-illustrated board game to market at Toy Fair earlier this year.

Erps had high praise for the craftsmanship and quality of the Made-in-Michigan game.

"It's a good growth category for our program. It rolls right with what we're doing for the biggest horse race in the world," he said.

All Pro Championships, Inc. is a Louisville-based sports merchandising firm founded in 1978. Churchill Downs selected APC in 1987 as their official licensing organization for the Kentucky Derby.

The collector games are available at a variety of equestrian and game retailers, or online.