Filled with extravagant fashion statements and more than a few mint juleps.
Facebook/Kentucky DerbyEvery year, Louisville, Kentucky turns into one of the world’s hottest destinations for sport enthusiasts and fashionistas. The 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled to take place on May 5-6, 2017, with two weeks of festivities leading up to the sport’s biggest race. Celebrities, racehorse enthusiasts, fashionistas and big money gamblers gather together for one amazing event and celebration filled with extravagant fashion statements and more than a few mint juleps.
Here are eleven incredible facts you may not have known about the Kentucky Derby!
1. A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose…
If you’re lucky enough to be the winning jockey and horse duo at the Kentucky Derby, that means a whole lot of roses for you! Not only is the red rose the official flower of the event, but the winner is adorned with the highly coveted Rose Garland, a beautiful rose blanket made up of more than 400 red roses.
2. Run for the Roses
And speaking of roses, the Kentucky Derby is also known as the “Run for the Roses,” a term coined by New York sports journalist Bill Corum in 1925. 80 years later and the nickname is still here, which is a testament to Corum, whom later would become the President of Churchill Downs.
3. Record Attendance
During the two-week festival leading up to the official Kentucky Derby race, an enormous influx of tourists and horse racing enthusiasts make their way Louisville, Kentucky. In fact, more than 170,000 people attended the Kentucky Derby in 2015, which is more than half the current population of the city (253,000)!
4. On Your Mark, Get Set…Cash Out!
Who knew betting on the ponies would be big business! In 2016, sport enthusiasts, tourists and online betters wagered more than $194 million throughout the entire Kentucky Derby festival. In fact, that same year more than $137 million was wagered on the Kentucky Derby event alone! If you’re looking to get in on the action, check out www.bestbettingsites.uk , an awesome online resource that breaks down the best online betting sites and strategies you can use to help place a winning bet.
5. The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports
At only 1.25 miles in distance, the racetrack may be short but the race has been famously dubbed “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” And if you’re wondering which racehorse holds the record for the quickest time that honor belongs to Secretariat, which ran a 1:59:40 back in 1973.
6. Make Mine a Mint Julep, Please.
What could possibly make two minutes of your life even more exciting? A mint julep, of course! As the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, more than 120,000 mint juleps are served at Churchill Downs during the two-week event. And in case you don’t want to wait until May for a sweet taste of southern hospitality (at merely $8 a glass), find your favorite Kentucky bourbon and mix it with some simple syrup, crushed ice, a dash of powdered sugar and mint. Cheers!
7. African-American Jockeys and Trainers
According to the Kentucky Derby Museum, the winning jockey at the derby’s first-ever race was Oliver Lewis, who rode Aristides to victory back in 1875. In fact, 13 of the 15 jockeys during that race were African-American. Not to mention, the racehorse was trained by a former slave called Ansel Williamson.
8. Women In The Kentucky Derby
In 1970, Diane Crump made history as the first-ever female jockey to ride in the derby. Her historic ride was notably mentioned by journalist Hunter S. Thompson in his famous essay “The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved.” To date, only six women have ever ridden in the race and no female trainer has ever won the Derby. Shelley Riley and her horse, Casual Lies, came nearest to victory with a second place finish in 1992.
9. Three Times A Charm For The Crown
The Kentucky Derby is only the first of three races for the ever-elusive Triple Crown. In fact, of the 142 derbies that have taken place so far, only 12 racehorses have ever won all three races in the same year to earn the highly coveted Triple Crown. The other two races in the Triple Crown include the Preakness Stakes (Baltimore, Maryland) and Belmont Stakes (Elmont, New York).
10. Get Rich (And Famous) on Millionaire’s Row?
For the rich and famous, Millionaire’s Row is the place to see and be seen. Composed of two seating areas at the Derby (Millionaire Six and Millionaire Four), this exclusive balcony seating area is reserved for heads of state, celebrities and the truly wealthy. With a full bar, food service and the best seats in the house, famous past attendees include Michael Jordan, President George Bush (both father and son), Queen Elizabeth II and even President Donald Trump.
11. Get Your Fashionista On!
The Kentucky Derby is not only of the largest sporting events in the country, but one of the world’s largest and most iconic fashion shows as well! Taking place in the month of May means the weather can be quite hot, which is how hats became such an important element at the festivities. Nowadays, it seems most of the buzz at the Derby is all about the anticipation of women (and even some men) showing off their latest designs of lavish hats and extravagant dresses.
