The advantages of the Galt are that it contains the Derby Experiences office, is home to a couple of the major post Kentucky Oaks balls, hosts lobby happy hours, and offers a range of trackside shuttle options.

FORBES: Start Planning For 2013 Kentucky Derby Now

Along the border region, locals' guesses of how many people engage in at least some shuttle-trading range from a fifth to half of the population.

ECONOMIST: Russia's western border

Those could range from continuing to fly the space shuttle to moving forward with the Constellation programme without any changes, he said.

BBC: Nasa defends its spaceflight plan