Pony Up - 5 Things You Need To Know About The Kentucky Derby

The Derby may be the greatest day in sports because you get to wear great hats, drink mint juleps and the whole event is over in two minutes.

Short is sweet,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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1. The Derby is often referred to as the “most exciting two minutes in sports” because that’s how long it takes for the horses to run the 1¼ mile track. TIME YOUR BATHROOM TRIP RIGHT OR YOU’LL MISS THE WHOLE RACE

2. The favorite horse heading into Saturday’s race, Omaha Beach, was scratched this week before most people could even place their bets. There are a whole slew of rules set forth by the Jockey Club to abide by when naming a horse. Of course, nothing racy is approved but names like Hoochiecoochiemama, Bodacious Tatas and Hardawn (say it aloud) have slipped past the reviewers. WE’D PAY TO HEAR ANNOUNCERS READ THOSE NAMES ON TV

3. The horses are all three-year-old males. You’ll never see a horse win the Derby twice because they’re only allowed to race when they’re three and that’s it. The horses (and their jockey) are competing for the largest-ever guaranteed purse of $3 million, an increase of $1 million from last year. PEAKING EARLY IN LIFE

4. Ever wonder how these high-priced horses get from one race to another? Air Horse One. No, really. They fly on a Boeing 727 cargo plane nicknamed “Air Horse One.” It’s equipped with stalls built around the horse and even inflight snacks. AND YOU THOUGHT BUSINESS CLASS WAS EXPENSIVE

5. We’d be remiss if we didn’t discuss the hats. The long-standing tradition started with a goal to have high-class spectators attend the race. The Derby hat as we know it, didn’t come around until the 1960s when fashion norms loosened up and big, bright and festive were socially acceptable. THE BEST CELEBRITY DERBY HATS  

Watch the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4th live from Churchill Downs at 6:50 EST.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE

Stallions aren’t the only thing to talk about today, here are the top three hottest topics in sports including how U.S.A Gymnastics continues to be a hot mess, why one basketball player is literally the sh*t and an iconic sports magazine is no more. READ

Doggone It

It may be cold outside but it’s hot in the world of sports. It’s the first Saturday since August with no football (cue basketball to fill in) and the last four football teams compete on Sunday for a spot in the Super Bowl.

You’re in the know,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS – Shout out to our fans who requested a Tailgate Treat that is special diet friendly. Don’t care about your diet? You’ll drool over it too.

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NBA (National Basketball Association)

When you’re still paying for therapy after being picked last in gym class. The NBA All-Star Game (Feb. 18th) has undergone a face lift this year. The teams will now be chosen by the top vote getter in each conference and this year it’s LeBron James and Steph Curry. The list of starters has been determined by fans, players and media and James and Curry will choose from that list, regardless of conference, to create their team that will play in the all-star game. For more, catch this quick video.

NFL (National Football League)

When you can’t get “Who Let The Dogs Out” out of your head.  They may be the Philadelphia Eagles, but Sunday during their game you will see dog masks everywhere. The Eagles have embraced their underdog label in the playoffs, hence the dog masks. They face the Minnesota Vikings which, with a win, will be the first team ever to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium.

 

Overtime

Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid asked Rihanna out on a date in 2014. She told him to come back when he’s an all-star. The day has come, Embiid was selected as a starter for the NBA All-Star team. The fans have not forgotten this promise and have been flooding Rihanna’s social media with reminders.

Sideline stat

If you’re more of a dog person, this one’s for you. March Madness brings us bracketology, but have you heard of barketology? Purina and former quarterback and baseball player, Tim Tebow, teamed up to bring you “barketology” for the Westminster Dog Show (Feb. 12-13). You can pick the pups you think will win for a chance at a $1 million prize. Brackets gone doggy style.

Coaches’ corner

All that stands between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Super Bowl are Tom Brady and the mighty New England Patriots this weekend. Everyone has been giving the team advice on how to beat the five-time Super Bowl champs including a first-grade class that sent them a folder of game notes and motivational messages. CHECK IT OUT

The Rundown: NYE Edition - Baby You're A Firework

The big guns are coming out this weekend for New Years. From a woman looking for revenge, to a group of guys who need to prove themselves on the field, to a gal who needs more muscles to keep her left hand up, they're all going to end 2016 with a bang.

See you next year,

The Last Nights’ Game Team

PS - Today's tailgate treat is in honor of Robert Leo Hulseman, the inventor of the Red Solo Cup who passed away at age 84. He brought joy (and pain) for so many. Cheers to you!

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NFL (NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE)

• Over already? They say time flies when you’re having fun. That’s right, this weekend is the last weekend of the NFL regular season. The experts have overanalyzed the heck out of the team playoff scenarios. Should you wish to explore their rationale, check them out here. 

UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)

• Kind of a big deal. UFC 207 is tonight in Las Vegas. It will feature the first fight for female fighter extraordinaire Ronda Rousey since her devastating first career loss in November 2015. Rousey faces the current champion Amanda Nunes, who is a badass and the first openly gay UFC Champion.

NBA (National Basketball Association) 

• Help a fella out. It’s time for fans to vote for the NBA All-Stars. Philadelphia 76ers rookie Joel Embiid needs your help. Embiid was told by his crush Rihanna that he needed to be an all-star to get a date. The game is February 19th so your vote could come just in time for Valentine's Day.

Overtime

• Top ranked women’s tennis player Serena Williams (35) revealed that she is engaged to the co-founder of Reddit, Alexis Ohanian (33). Surprisingly, they announced their engagement on….Reddit.  

Sideline stat

• Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo rejected an offer from a Chinese soccer team that would have paid him over $105 million a year. His agent Jorge Mendes said “money is not everything; the Spanish club (his current team Real Madrid) is his life."

Coaches’ corner

• This isn’t your normal New Year’s Eve party pre-game routine. The final four teams in college football will battle it out on Saturday for a spot in the National Championship game, which determines the best team in FBS college football. (FBS stands for the Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly known as Division One).
  • The Peach Bowl (3 pm EST) - Alabama (1) vs Washington (4)
  • The Fiesta Bowl (7 pm EST) - Ohio State (3) vs Clemson (2)