Kentucky Derby 2009

The countdown to the 2009 Kentucky Derby hasstarted. In 1938, the glasses were intended only
begun. Since 1875, this celebrated race hasas mint julep glasses. Because of their popularity,
captured the hearts of horse racing fans. Filledmany glasses were not returned. The following
with excitement and anticipation, crowds will floodyear, the track gave into the inevitable. They
into Churchill Downs on May 2, 2009 for the 135thadded twenty-five cents to the cost of the drinks
Kentucky Derby.and let customers keep the glasses. In almost
There are many things that make the Derby theevery year since 1949, all previous Derby winners
Derby including: the long history, the traditions, thehave been listed on the glasses.
hats, and the garland of roses. Together, theSterling silver julep cups
Kentucky Derby adds up to the premier NorthFirst introduced in 1951, the sterling silver julep cup
American horse racing event.was intended as an official, useful souvenir of the
The Kentucky Derby is limited to three-year-oldKentucky Derby. Traditionally, the governor of
horses. These contenders will vie for the chanceKentucky uses the cup to toast the winner. The
to win the $2 million prize. Because thecup is then added to a complete set the track
competition for admission is stiff and because thehas.
fees are high (according to one source, the leastKentucky Derby Style
you could spend on fees to have a horse run inFor some, the Kentucky Derby is just a
the Kentucky Derby would be over $50,000),thinly-veiled excuse to wear a really great hat.
horse owners want to be confident they have aAccording to Carol Bader, the owner and creator
horse with a good chance of winning. Betweenof Del Mar Hat Company, the 2009 trend is for
now and Derby-day, a number of races will helpcolorful hats. Her full article is available at
determine which horses are likely to beBetting on the Derby
contenders for the 2009 Kentucky Derby.Horse racing handicappers will be focusing on the
For people with the opportunity to visit thebetting prospects of the Kentucky Derby.
Derby, Case the Race provides tips on travel,According to Paul Lambrakis, author of The
tickets, betting and choosing a hat. The site is10-Cent Superfecta, "I try not to get caught up in
updated weekly to keep it current. For regularthe hype of any one horse or attached to any
updates on a variety of Kentucky Derby topics,one horse [before the Derby]. I'll look at past
go toperformances and the whole field of horses when
Historythe time comes and try to handicap it just like I
Most people know that the track that hosts thewould any other race." Others, like Frank Di
Kentucky Derby is Churchill Downs in Louisville,Tondo , the author of One Minute Handicapper,
Kentucky. Few people know that Churchill Downsare monitoring a number of regional competitions
was originally called the Louisville Jockey Club. Theto see which horses look to have the best
track officially opened in 1875 and has beenprospects. Case the Race provides weekly
running the Derby and the Oaks every year since.updates on the horses and tips from
Attendance is expected to reach around 150,000handicappers. Get advice from handicappers here
fans in 2009.Travel to the Derby
In Fall 1894 and Spring 1895, a new grandstandThe Kentucky Derby tends to stretch the full
costing $100,000 was built for the Derby. Thecapacity of Louisville's accommodations. Finding a
new grandstand had two spires. Over time, thehotel room during the Kentucky Derby can be a
spires became known as the Twin Spires andchallenge, especially for those planning late or
have become an iconic symbol of Churchill Downsworking with a limited budget. While the first stop
and the Kentucky Derby.may be to check the usual travel sites, if these
The racetrack and the Kentucky Derby might notare not providing enough options, consider other
have become all they have become had it notpossibilities such as B & Bs or vacation
been for Matt Winn, who took the reins in 1902.rentals. The Louisville Convention and Visitors
Because of his drive and business savvy, ChurchillBureau provides a search tool to explore a
Downs experienced a revival.variety of accommodations and locations. If you
Kentucky Derby Traditionsare traveling with a group, vacation rentals might
There are several traditions associated with thebe an option. The site specializes in providing
Kentucky Derby. Some of the best knownluxury vacation rental homes for events like the
traditions are the garland of roses, drinking mintKentucky Derby.
juleps on Derby-day, collecting Kentucky DerbyThe Derby festivities begin as early as April 2nd
glasses, and collecting silver julep cups.and extend all the way up to Derby Day.
Garland of rosesBetween 4/23 -5/2 the Kentucky Derby Festival
The first published account of roses draped onhas 32 events scheduled. Learn more about the
horses appeared in 1896. Since 1987, floralevents at the Kentucky Derby Festival site.
designers from Kroger grocery chain haveThe Countdown for the 2009 Kentucky Derby
produced the garland of roses which is 90 inchesIn the end, it will come down to two minutes. It
long by 14 inches wide and weighs about 35 lbs.will be two minutes of white-knuckle suspense,
Mint Juleptwo minutes of sweaty palms clenched around
The official drink of the Kentucky Derby, the mintbetting tickets, two minutes for dreams to be
julep has delighted horse racing fans for over 100either realized or dashed, two minutes from the
years.sound of the bell to the moment the winner
There are variations, but most recipes includecrosses the finish line amidst a cheering crowd.
fresh mint sprigs, bourbon whiskey, powderedSpectators will come from all over and from all
sugar and water.walks of life, but for those two minutes, they will
Kentucky Derby glassesbe united by the same question: Which horse will
It was not the racetrack's intention to providewin?
glasses as keepsakes the year the tradition