The Kentucky Derby is one of the most popular horse races of the entire season and is known as “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports” by many fans of the sport. The Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday every single year in the month of May in Louisville, Kentucky. The race is held at the Churchill Downs Race Track which over its long history has become one of the most well known horse racing tracks in the world.
The very first Kentucky Derby Race was held in 1875 in Kentucky at Churchill Downs although the name of the race track was different at the time. It took until 1937 for the race track to be officially named the Churchill Downs, but it has remained the name of the track since. When the race first started it was a 1.5 mile track, but it has since been made into a 1.25 mile track which has been deemed more suitable.
All the horses in the Kentucky Derby are thoroughbred horses that are three years old. It’s one of the Grade 1 Stakes Races throughout the horse racing season and is also the first race counted towards the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. Every year horse racing fans from around the world anticipate the start of the Kentucky Derby because it’s the first major horse racing event of the season.
Over the years there have been several different traditions that have been developed at the Kentucky Derby which have stuck with the race. One of the traditions is that spectators will always be able to order the traditional meal available at the Derby which includes a Mint Julep and Burgoo. It’s also very well known that there are some traditional outfits known to be worn at the Kentucky Derby including lavish hats and handbags. Many of the worlds rich and famous make an appearance at the Kentucky Derby as it has become one of the annual social gatherings for anyone with connections and money. The winner of the race each year is also given a rose blanket which consists of 554 roses and is thrown over the horse after the race while the winner does his walk around the track.
Not only do the rich and famous watch the Kentucky Derby, but anyone can get tickets to the Derby although you’ll be on ground level. It’s difficult to watch the races from the ground level so if you want to watch the races you’ll need to make sure you have seats in the grandstands. The Derby is always an excellent party and since it takes place on a Saturday there is always a huge crowd of spectators.
Every year there are millions of dollars wagered on the Kentucky Derby races and there is potential to make a lot of money. A lot of the time there will be some heavy favourites in the races which payoff although you can never count out any horse on a given day, which is what makes betting on Horse Racing so fun. The Kentucky Derby is arguably the most famous race of the season.