By Lori Burling
The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE - As a dozen fillies were pampered by trainers Friday in anticipation of the big race, thousands of Churchill Downs guests were searched and scanned before the 129th Kentucky Oaks on the eve of the Kentucky Derby.

Helen Bray of Louisville was in a rush to get into the track. Bray arrived early to get seats for her and her daughter, Mary Maupin, on a porch covered front row bench.

"I waited in line for 35 minutes before the gates opened just because I wanted this bench," said Bray, who is celebrating her 35th Oaks and Derby weekend. "As far as going through security, it took just a few minutes."

Officials beefed up security last year for the historic race after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Nearly identical precautions were taken again this racing weekend in the wake of the war in Iraq.

Also this year, more than a dozen federal agencies are assisting in public safety since the creation of the federal Homeland Security Department.

Assistance from the Kentucky National Guard dwindled this year because of guardsmen on active duty. About 200 guard members were to work security at Churchill Downs this weekend, down from about 400 last year, said Louisville police Lt. Col. Philip Turner, head of the local law enforcement detail at the track for the weekend.

The safety measures include banning of some items, more law enforcement and hand searches. But most track goers did not seem bothered Friday.

"I came right through, had no problems. It was a lot more fun than the airport," said Rod Boyd, of Elizabethtown. He and a friend arrived at the gates before the 8 a.m. opening to grab a front-row bench in the Paddock Pavilion.

The Kentucky Oaks is a sister race to the Kentucky Derby and is held the day before the Run for the Roses. Last year, the race attracted a crowd of 101,932. The Derby drew 145,033.

Oaks day gives track officials and law enforcement a glimpse of what to expect on Derby day.

Patrons were searched with a magnetic wand, while other law enforcement officers searched their bags - X-ray machines were added this year to assist in large-item searches. Under new regulations, guests are not allowed to bring in coolers or any type of bottle, including sunscreen.

Churchill Downs opened several convenience-type stores inside the gates to sell items that cannot be brought in, such as drink bottles and disposable coolers.

Turner said authorities had not confiscated many items early Friday. He suspected the biggest problem would be people who tried to slip drinks in.

Some were successful, including one woman and a friend who strapped a pint of liquor in a plastic bag to their thighs under their dresses.

"It's what we always do," the woman said from the grandstand.

On Thursday, more than 100 federal officers were sworn in to help with Derby weekend because of the diminished National Guard presence. The added agents were simply a precaution, track officials said.

The number of total law enforcement officials was not released for security purposes, police said.

"You're not going to go far without seeing uniforms," Turner said.