From about Wednesday on, the only question worth asking among friends in Louisville is this one: What are you doing for Derby?

I thought it would be an interesting query for our local officials, so I did a little survey, asking members of the Metro Council which party they’re going to Friday night and how they’re spending Derby Day. I thought it would be interesting to see if our M.C.s were taking advantage of the weekend to entertain, campaign, spend some time out of the spotlight or head out of Dodge.

Of course, none could hold a candle to the schedule of Mayor Jerry Abramson, whose ambitious schedule requires his security detail to work in shifts. On Friday, Mayor Jer will be busy from sun-up to sundown. He hosts a brunch that day, then a first-time event: a dinner at Metro Hall with guests of Greater Louisville Inc. In between, he’ll hold court on the 4th floor at Churchill Downs. Friday night he pops in at the Mint Jubilee, Grand Gala and at least two other parties.

On Derby Day, it’s about the same schedule, different events.

Metro Council members, in general, aren’t so much for the party circuit. I got a response from 11 of the 26 members, so we’re not going to try to do any sort of statistical analysis. Still, it’s good to know what some of the folks are up to on the biggest local weekend of the year.

Judith Green (District 1) will attend the Oaks, then the Kentucky Minority Scholarship Fundraising Dance. She’ll do a Derby Day Brunch with the Kentucky General Assmbly, a luncheon with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and, later, she’s going to the Grand Gala.

Tom Owen (District 8) plans to spend Oaks day at Churchill with family members, and does a Legislative Breakfast Saturday morning. As for the Derby, he says he’s got tickets, but will probably give them up for his daughter and her fiance.

Jim King (District 10) owns a bank, and knows a thing or two about entertaining. He’s got the kind of political sense to know, like anyone who aspires to be Mayor someday, that being seen at Derby time is worth the cost of tickets. He’ll be at the Barnstable-Brown Party Friday after a full day at the track. He’s got tickets at Churchill Saturday as well. King entertained guests of King Southern Bank at a big Thunder Party three weeks ago.

Vicki Welch (Dicstict 13) is hosting a couple of out-of-town guests and going to a Derby Brunch, and then her party will be hanging out on the backside.

Ken Fleming (District 7) goes to the Oaks with friends, then hangs out at home Derby Day.

Kevin Kramer (District 11) is equally dull — attending the Governor’s Brunch at Papa John’s on Friday, then spending Derby Day at home.

Kelly Downard (District 16) attends Thursday’s Derby Museum Ball and the Governor’s Brunch Friday, then spends the big day at home.

Glen Stuckel (District 17) is at a Homebuilders Meeting out of town.

Hal Heiner (District 19) is hanging at his home.

Stuart Benson (District 20) says he plans to do some politicking for the May 20 primary until mid-afternoon, then plans to go to a neighbor’s party.

So, if you want to find your Democratic Council member on Saturday, head out to Churchill. It might be a good time to catch your Republican members at home.