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Kentucky Derby
The excitement here in Louisville is steadily building. Next Saturday, the First Saturday in May, is the running of the 134th Kentucky Derby at prestigious historic Churchill Downs. Billed as the “the most exciting two minutes in sports”, the Derby is the first jewel in the Triple Crown of horse racing. This is always a great time to be in Kentucky, and especially in Louisville. Derby Day at the Downs can be seen on ESPN. For the actual running of the Kentucky Derby, tune to your local NBC affiliate. The Red Carpet coverage begins at 4:30 EST. Derby coverage begins at 5:00 EST.
Two weeks prior, Derby Festival excitement starts with the “They’re Off” Luncheon , at which time a Derby Queen and her court are chosen. The following day is an all-day event known as “Thunder Over Louisville”, or locally, just “Thunder”. It is a 12 hour air show with amazing feats of aeronautical displays followed by the “World’s Biggest Fireworks Show”. Believe me, it lives up to its title. For the next two weeks there are daily events at the “ChowWagon”, a food and entertainment venue. Admission is gained by purchasing a “Derby Pin” sponsored by a local business.
Derby Week is the most fun time in Louisville. Some of the events are: “Run for the Rose”, an obstacle-course inspired races performed by food service employees of Louisville businesses; The Great Steamboat Race, a six-mile Ohio River run, between the Belle of Louisville and the Delta Queen regularly, and sometimes joined by the Mississippi Queen and the Spirit of Jefferson; The Pegasus Parade, with bands, floats and inflatables that extends about three miles down Broadway; Oaks Day, the running of the Kentucky Oaks- a fun and much more family-oriented day than Derby Day and not so crowded; finally the running of the Kentucky Derby. There are all sorts of traditions surrounding the Derby, most notably the drinking of Mint Juleps , the eating of Burgoo, and the wearing of the fanciest Derby Hats imaginable.
The hat wearing is not confined to ladies, either. Many a man has been sighted sporting a fabulous hat. Some have been sighted wearing ridiculous hats, too. If you tune into the Derby on your local station you will see what I mean. The Kentucky Derby IS fast horses, fantastic hats and plenty of Mint Juleps.
Of course, the Derby is all about the horses and their trainers, too. The best trainers in the world run horses in the Derby. The perennial favorites are;
- Steven M. Asmussen
- D.Wayne Lucas
- Bob Baffert
- Nick Zito
- Dale L. Romans
- Todd A. Pletcher
- Michael J. Maker
- William I. Mott
- Kenneth G. McPeek
And let’s not forget the jockeys;
- Julien R. Leparoux
- Calvin H. Borel
- Robby Albarado
- Kent J. Desormeaux
- Shaun Bridgmohan
- Jamie Theriot
- Rene R. Douglas
- Corey J. Lanerie
- Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
- Rafael Bejarano
For the complete list of horses running in the 134th Kentucky Derby keep listening to your local sports channel. The list changes frequently as trainers and owners reassess their horses.
If you are ever able to come to the Derby, it will be an experience you will never forget. If you are in Louisville any other time of the year, stop by the Kentucky Derby Museum, on the grounds of Churchill Downs. It’s the next best thing to being at the Derby.
For more Derby information, visit the official Churchill Downs site.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Kentucky Derby | Handmade Just 4 You…
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May 9th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Kentucky Derby…
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