The inauguration committee reported raising $766,000 with $414,000 left unspent so far. In other words, the inauguration has cost $352,000 so far.

A number of horse farm owners, who could indirectly benefit from casinos at race tracks, donated a big chunk of change for the party. Antony Beck of Gainesway Management Corp. in Lexington was one of several horsey folks who donated money to Beshear's coronation. Beck pitched in $10,000.

Richard Gilliam, who owns Cumberland Resources coal mining company in Virginia wrote a $10,000 check as did a Peabody Energy exec and the head of Ikerd Coal Co.

Road contractors Larry and Charlotte Glass of Glasgow were among the contractors who donated. They donated 10K and 5K, respectively.

Dick Lawrence of Cincinnati was one of several lawyers who sent 10 grand to the Inaugural Committee.

William Yung of Columbia Sussex gave $10,000. Yung's firm has a hand in 11 casinos, including Casino Aztar near Evansville.

Former state finance secretary Rogers Wells, who now heads Interlott Technologies, which supplies machines to the Kentucky Lottery, gave $10,000.

Former Republican Party Chairman Ellen Williams, who is now a consultant and lobbyist, gave $1,000. Former GOP legislator Jim Zimmerman of Lagrange gave $250. But it didn't help Zimmerman hang on to his director's job in the Labor Cabinet, which suffered a housecleaning at the hands of the new administration.