Friday, May 6, 2011

Run For The Roses!


Every year, the first Saturday in May is focused on the "most exciting two minutes in sports."  If you're from KENTUCKY, you may have never ridden a horse, but you have seen thousands and feel connected to the industry in some form or another !!  Plus, the TRADITION of the KENTUCKY DERBY is reason enough to get excited this time of year!

Here are a few Derby facts: 
  • The first Kentucky Derby was ran on May 17, 1875
  • The original race was 1.5 miles, but was changed to 1.25 miles in 1896.
  • The field is made up of 3 year old (or younger) Thoroughbred horses
  • The Kentucky Derby is ran at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky
  • It is the first of three races in the Triple Crown (second: Preakness Stakes, third: Belmont Stakes)
Here are a few long standing traditions:
  • The traditional drink:  MINT JULEP (made with Kentucky Bourbon, of course).  The recipe can be found HERE.
  • The traditional meal:  Kentucky Burgoo.  The recipe can be found HERE.

  • My Old Kentucky Home:  (My personal favorite tradition) As the horses are paraded in front of the grandstands, a band plays the Kentucky State song, My Old Kentucky Home.  Honestly, EVERY time I hear this song (especially on Derby Day) I have tears.



  • The most well known tradition:  Hats and elegant attire!  The bigger, the better!!
I made this hat for the 2009 Derby.

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Yep, that's right, even the men sport hats!!

  • Millionaire's Row is another intriguing tradition of the Derby.  Everyone want to know who will be there.  

A few former attendees include Jack Nicholson, Puff Daddy, Jessica Simpson, Dennis Hopper, Toby Keith, Travis Tritt, Steven Spielberg, Alice Cooper, Robert Duvall, Bob Hope, Muhammad Ali (of course, he is a Kentuckian), Walter Cronkite just to name a few (For an extensive list click HERE).  Not only celebrities, but the Derby has been attended by many politicians and royals.  Queen Elizabeth II made her first appearance in 2007.

The Kentucky Derby is also known as:
  • THE RUN FOR THE ROSES!!  Why?  Because the winning horse receives a blanket of red roses. 
  • THE MOST EXCITING TWO MINUTES IN SPORTS.


It is common on Derby Day to also enjoy:
  • Derby Pie.  The recipe can be found HERE.


  • Kentucky Hot Brown.  No one ever said we were the healthiest.  I'll be making this mini hot brown recipe on Saturday.

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There are many more traditions, but those are the most prevalent minus the Infield, but I won't talk about that here.  
HAPPY DERBY DAY EVERYONE!!



11 comments:

Teamarcia said...

Super fun! I love the KD, although I've never been. Hopefully one of these years.

Kindra said...

Very informative! I'm getting excited!! :)

Casey Martinez said...

What a fun and creative post! I love the hats that women wear to the Derby and yours was darling!! I mean seriously when else do we get to wear a HUGE hat and it is cool?? So neat. And the food..yuummmm!!

karren said...

I enjoyed soaking up your photos and the videos. I LOVE horses. I've always wanted to come to Kentucky for the beautiful scenery and horses.

Laura said...

Im determimed to start a Derby party tradition next year.....with the move and race thimgs habe neen crazy here. Maybe I will just wrar my har around town :)

Laura said...

Im determimed to start a Derby party tradition next year.....with the move and race thimgs habe neen crazy here. Maybe I will just wrar my har around town :)

Anonymous said...

Just stumbled across your blog and love it! Too cute! Thanks for breaking down the derby for us. I now want to have on a big hat and to eat some of that pie! New follower and just wanted to say hi = )

katy said...

mmmm, Derby pie! :)

JCo said...

Watched Secretariat last night in honor of the big day today! Like the new look of your blog Amber. Happy Derby Day to you!

texasmacks said...

I had my first hot brown while dating my husband and absolutely loved it. We watched today and now our youngest wants to be a jockey for Halloween. That sounds like it might be hard to make...not exactly the type of costume you find in a costume store.

Craig said...

Oh, that’s right – Kentucky – that’s where you are. I remember – U of K people who I’m supposed to despise because my sister was a Louisville cheerleader. Oh, I remember now… My sister – only there a few years lurved the Derby. I hearted this – I really did. But then I heart all your posts. God bless and keep you and all of yours this day Amber – this Mama’s day!! God bless.