Fascinator hats, Mint Juleps, seersucker suits, celebrity sightings & a good layer of sunscreen…These ARE the essentials for THE greatest two minutes in sports history, rain or shine! Whether you are hosting your own 138th Derby Celebration, attending one or just want to be in the know at the water cooler, we’ve got the basics of what you need here. And Union Rags from Chaddsford Stables is the horse to watch!
Known as the “Run for the Roses”, the Kentucky Derby is America’s race for 3-year Thoroughbreds held annually for 137 years on the first Saturday in May. May 5th 2012 in fact. The $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands is annually staged at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Inaugurated in 1875, the legendary 1 ¼-mile race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds is the oldest continuously held sporting event in North America and the first leg of horse racing’s challenging Triple Crown series. The Kentucky Derby is often called “The Run for the Roses,” “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” and “America’s Race” and typically attracts a crowd in excess of 150,000. Last year, an unprecedented 164,858 were in attendance, which smashed the former record of 163,628 set in 1974 during the Derby’s 100th anniversary. Follow all the Derby pomp and circumstance including LOCAL Chaddsford horse UNION RAGS, for the 138th here at NorthDelaWHEREHappening.com
The Meeting Place
Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, KY, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Inc. also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. From the paddock, the Grand Stands to the infield the views are grand…and here at NorthDelaWHEREHappening.com we’ll have our Delaware connections showing you some of the action with photos. Check back for more.
Meet the Horses
Yes at this grand party there are indeed horses to watch. One shot in history to win the giant $2M purse.
Got a Favorite? There are no rules here – you can pick by color, number or name – no matter the fame. Place your bets LOCALLY at Delaware Park or wager online at twinspires.com
Prefer a little bridled guidance with your picks? Check the power rankings from the experts. REVIEW the EXPERT PICKS
UNION RAGS! $100 to WIN! We are no experts but with 9/2 Odds, our favorite pick is LCOAL horse with fourth spot positioning – UNION RAGS from Chaddsford Stables in PA! Union Rags Trainer, Michael Matz, also saddled Barbaro to win the 2006 Run for the Roses by 6 ½ lengths. Chaddsford Stables is owned by Phyllis Wyeth. Wyeth’s husband, celebrated artist James Wyeth, is a son of honored artist Andrew Wyeth. Her late parents, James P. Mills and Alice Francis du Pont Mills, founded Hickory Tree Farm and raced such horses as champion Devil’s Bag and grade 1 winners Gone West and Believe It. Wyeth lives on her family’s Lookout Farm, which straddles the border of Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Derby Attire
Suzy Casey shows off her fascinator hat at the 134th Derby in 2008. Photo by Michelle Fiorelli
The law of the land is Dress to Impress. Break out your Sunday finest and then top that. This is the most elite sporting event that combines the greatest of spring fashions. From frilly dresses and seer sucker suits to fascinator hats and flashy ties(bows accepted), you’ll find it all here.
Derby Cocktails
The Triple Crown + several area steeplechase races = many tailgating and party hosting opportunities. Having a Derby Party? In charge of Cocktails for your Point to Point Tailgate? How about a Fabulous Phillies party, for ladies only? Impress your friends with a signature cocktail straight from the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes or Belmont Stakes?
Click here four signature “Triple Crown Cocktail” recipes to choose from Brought to you by Premier Wine & Spirits, the ingredient source for our Triple crown Cocktails.
Derby Entertains
Mary J. Blige will be the National Anthem singer at Kentucky Derby 138!
She will sing at approximately 5 p.m. ET on Kentucky Derby Day, May 5
My Old Kentucky Home
In the world of sports, there is not a more moving moment than when the horses step onto the track for the Kentucky Derby post parade and the band strikes up “My Old Kentucky Home”. Sing along!
| “My Old Kentucky Home” | By Stephen Foster | |
| The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home, Tis summer, the people are gay; The corn-top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the bloom While the birds make music all the day. |
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor All merry, all happy and bright; By’n by hard times comes a knocking at the door Then my old Kentucky home, Good-night! |
Weep no more my lady. Oh! Weep no more today! We will sing one song for my old Kentucky home For the old Kentucky home, far away. |
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