Today’s the day. The most famous horse race in America. The Kentucky Derby!

The race solely for three year old thoroughbreds. One and a quarter miles.

It is the first leg of the Triple Crown.

The Derby known also as “The Run For The Roses.” The winning horse is draped in a blanket of roses.

The race lasts two minutes. Referred to as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”

The Derby was first run in 1875. Today the 150th running of the event. It is the most watched and most attended horse race in the United States.

The father of the Kentucky Derby is Col. Meriwether Louis Clark Jr., grandson of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In 1872, he organized the Louisville Jockey Club which raised the money to build the track known as Churchill Downs. The track is named after John and Henry Churchill who provided the land for the racetrack.

In 1875, the first Kentucky Derby was run before 10,000 people. Today’s attendees will be roughly 160,000. The betting handle will be in the area of $20 million for all of today’s Kentucky Derby races.

The Derby is wrapped in tradition. The mint julep the traditional drink of the race. Foodwise burgoo, a thick stew of beef, chicken, pork and vegetables. Spectators watch from everywhere. From the infield costing the price of a general admissions ticket. Poor viewing, but great partying. “Millionaires Row” are expensive box seats that attract the rich.

An infield ticket on the day of the race costs around $275. The ticket charge begins two weeks earlier at $135 and runs up as race day approaches. A Millionaire Box Seat is in the thousands. A bit cheaper is a “reserved seat” which will cost the day of the race $3,500 with a special fee added thereon. The additional fee in the area of $500 plus.

The Kentucky Derby not a race for pikers.

The purse this year is $5 million. The winner collects $3.1 million of that amount.

Partying begins two weeks prior to the race. The best!

I have never attended a Kentucky Derby in Louisville itself. I have attended other Louisville events, however. A great partying town anytime!

My Key West days have generally been spent at the Yacht Club, Don’s Place or the Chart Room watching and partying. Fun time all!

The race is at 6:57 this evening. If not in Louisville, watch on TV! A thrill!

Enjoy your day!