Giddy Up! It's Time For The Kentucky Derby
Can you imagine if your life peaked at age three?
Photo: Unsplash
Are you ready for the fastest two minutes in sports? The Kentucky Derby is happening on Saturday, May 6, and it's one of the best events for horse racing fans and betting enthusiasts alike. Even if you don't typically follow sports, the Kentucky Derby is the perfect event for you – you only have to watch two minutes of horses once a year.
The Kentucky Derby is the first race of the Triple Crown, the three biggest races of the year for the horse racing community. The other two races are the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont. Winning all three races is the ultimate goal for trainers and jockeys, and only 13 horses have ever accomplished this feat in the long history of the Triple Crown.
The pressure is high at the Kentucky Derby, where only three-year-old horses are allowed to run. This means they only have one shot to make a name for themselves and potentially become Triple Crown winners.
If you plan to watch the Kentucky Derby, you might want to consider betting on your favorite horse. Betting on horses is a little different from betting on other sports since there are many options. However, the most popular bet is a win bet, where you bet on which horse will win the race. Another option is a place bet, where you bet on a horse to come in first or second, and a show bet, where you bet on a horse to come in first, second, or third.
As of this recording, Forte is the betting favorite for the Kentucky Derby, but remember that the favorite hasn't won since 2018. In addition, betting odds can change throughout the week leading up to the race, so it's essential to watch them and adjust your bets accordingly.
Remember to gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. But with a little bit of luck, you could end up with some extra cash in your pocket while watching the excitement of the Kentucky Derby unfold.
Listen to this week's podcast for more on the Derby, place your bets, grab your drinks, and let's watch those horses run.
6 Reasons Why The Kentucky Derby Is Our Favorite Event Of The Year
From the outfits to the cocktails and horses with naughty names.
Giddy up! Everyone’s favorite horse race takes place this Saturday, May 1, and here’s why it’s one of our favorite events.
Grab your bonnet, mint julep and let’s go,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Blink and you’ll miss it
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 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. It’s the first race of the famed Triple Crown. It's followed by the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. SHORT AND SWEET
The names of the horses
What’s in a name? Well, try naming a horse – it’s not as easy as it seems. There are so many rules set forth by the Jockey Club to abide by when naming a horse. Of course, nothing racy is approved, but names like Sexy Pork Chop, Hoochiecoochiemama, Bodacious Tatas and Hardawn (say it aloud) have slipped past the reviewers. WE’D PAY TO HEAR ANNOUNCERS READ THOSE NAMES ON TV
The outfits
After last year’s Derby was postponed until September and with only a few fans, this year’s race will include fans, albeit a smaller than usual crowd. Around 45,000 fans will don their Derby hats to watch the race. (Normal capacity is 165,000). Speaking of Derby 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 colors were socially acceptable. THE BEST CELEBRITY DERBY HATS
PS - If you’re attending a Derby party and need something to wear, check our friend Amy Ann over at Straight A Style for some Derby dress ideas.
Place your bets
The horses in the Derby 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. Keep an eye on the favorite in the Derby, Essential Quality. Other horses with cool stories (or names) include Hot Rod Charlie, owned by a few former Brown football players who named their horse after a drinking game they played in college. Then there’s Midnight Bourbon, which hopefully, unlike choosing a bourbon as the clock strikes twelve, is a good choice. COCKTAILS ANYONE?
Curious how one bets on horses? It's simple - let us show you how. PONIES 101
Lifestyles of the rich and famous (horses)
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. Tex Sutton Equine Air transports about 2,500 horses per year. AND YOU THOUGHT BUSINESS CLASS WAS EXPENSIVE.
COCKTAILS GALORE
The mint julep has been the official cocktail of the Derby since 1938. The drink is made with Woodford Reserve bourbon (the official sponsor of this year’s event). On a normal year, over 120,000 juleps are sold every year at the Derby. BOTTOMS UP
The 5 Things You Need To Know About This Year's Kentucky Derby
Saturday will be all about cocktails, fashion and you named your racehorse what?
Come for the fashion, stay for the horse racing (it’s only two minutes). After all that 2020 has thrown at us, everyone needs an excuse to dress up, don a hat and have a cocktail, even if it’s at home.
Raise your glasses to a good time,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. The 146th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place at the Churchill Downs Racetrack on Saturday, September 5 at 6:50 EST. The race 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. The winner after those quick two minutes, receives a garland of over 400 red roses, a tradition since 1932. TIME YOUR BATHROOM TRIP RIGHT OR YOU’LL MISS THE WHOLE RACE
2. Like so many sports, for the first time ever the Derby will be run without fans. Louisville, where the Derby takes place, is bracing for an estimated loss of $400 million in tourism dollars.
3. Ever wonder how they name the racehorses? 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
4. 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. We highly suggest you try this tradition at home. THE BEST CELEBRITY DERBY HATS
5. Don't think we'd leave you hanging without a go to cocktail for your party. The mint julep is the traditional drink of the Derby with over 120,000 mint juleps are served during a fan-attended Derby weekend at Churchill Downs. But don’t worry the traditional drink is easy to make at home. HERE’S HOW