Beech Tree News Network

This Saturday is the 141st (first occurring in 1875) running of the Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.  The Kentucky Derby is held the first Saturday in May, we all know.  The race caps the two-week long Kentucky Derby Festival.  Close to 10,000 people watched that first annual Kentucky Derby as 15 horses ran what was then a 1.5 mile course.  In 1876, the length of the race was changed to 1.25 miles. 
By the early 1900’s, owners of winning Kentucky Derby horses started sending their winners to run in the Preakness Stakes in Maryland and the Belmont Stakes in New York.  In 1930, sportswriter Charles Hatton coined the term “Triple Crown” in reference to the same horses running three races consecutively. 
The Mint Julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby.  The iced drink consists of bourbon, mint and a sweet syrup.  It is traditionally served in a commemorative Kentucky Derby glass.  Burgoo is the traditional meal of the Kentucky Derby.  If you recall the early Moonlite BBQ commercial, sung by the late Johnny Cash, there is the line “try our delicious Burgoo”.  Burgoo is a thick, meaty stew. 
Millionaires Row is the premium seating area that houses all the rich and famous Kentucky Derby guests during the races.  The Triple Crown, of course, is a series of three races: The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness, and the Belmont. 
The Derby Hat Parade takes place inside of Churchill Downs and refers to the sea of stylish and elegant hats worn by women and men alike during the Derby.  The Kentucky Derby Festival is an annual two week series of events held in Louisville beginning with Thunder Over Louisville and leading up to the Kentucky Derby.
The Infield is the flat, grassy area of the track best known for hosting the largest Kentucky Derby party.  Kentucky Derby hats are not only a fashion tradition, they’re also said to be good luck.  Traditionally, Kentucky Derby hats have been worn by women.  Over the last few years, however, many men have taken up the tradition as well. 
Men traditionally wear any color suit at the Derby.  Women pair Spring dresses in any Spring color with their Derby hats.   Kentucky Derby fashions on the field vary greatly from those outside Churchill Downs.  In the infield, the hats take more outlandish shapes.  Because the hat is not essential in the infield, people generally wear their hat to express originality.  Ladies might want to bring a clear plastic bag for their hat, as you’ll want to wear it rain or shine. 
I’ve always thought it was funny that there is always hours of pre-Derby coverage for the fastest two minutes in sports.  The other fastest two minutes in sports could be the Pacquiao/Mayweather fight Saturday night, but that’s another story.