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What is the Kentucky Derby? |
by Alli Rodenhauser (whyzz writer) >> more about the author
The Kentucky Derby is a famous horse race founded in 1875 and held on the first Saturday of May in Louisville, Kentucky. During the race, twenty horses (sometimes less, but twenty is the limit, or, "a full field") run the two kilometer (1.25 miles) course. It is also known as the "Run of the Roses" (the race's official flower) and the "Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports," which is how long the race is.
Winning the Derby doesn't only bring honor — it can also mean big bucks for the horse's rider and owners! In addition to prize money awarded by the official Derby committee, betting on the horse you think will win can bring in the dough. The 2008 winner, named Mine That Bird, was such a longshot that $2 bets turned into over $100 once he'd won!
Along with the Preakness Stakes in Maryland and the Belmont Stakes in New York, these three races form what is known as the "Triple Crown." To win all three is considered a great achievement and, to date, only eleven horses have ever managed to do so.
Since the actual race itself is so short, much of the excitement surrounding the Kentucky Derby comes from the traditions and parties that lead up to it. The rich and famous attend charity events and watch the race from expensive box seats nicknamed "Millionaire's Row," and traditional songs are played as the horses are paraded onto the racetrack. People also sip the Derby's "official" drink, called the Mint Julep, but, since it's made with alcohol, it's for adults only!
Hats off!
One of the famous traditions of the Kentucky Derby has been seeing what kind of hats women (and men!) wear. Watching people is considered just as fun as watching the horses at the Derby, and there are parades and prizes for the most elaborate toppers.
The tradition of wearing a fancy hat stems from the fact that, in the 19th century when the race first began, it was considered extremely impolite to go outside not wearing one. As fashions changed, ladies continued to wear wide-brimmed hats because it kept the sun out of their eyes. While not required like they were in the past, nowadays you're just considered a party pooper if you go to the Kentucky Derby and don't wear a fancy hat!
Ask an adult to help you decorate a Derby hat of your very own — use ribbons, feathers, flowers...whatever strikes your fancy!
Winning the Derby doesn't only bring honor — it can also mean big bucks for the horse's rider and owners! In addition to prize money awarded by the official Derby committee, betting on the horse you think will win can bring in the dough. The 2008 winner, named Mine That Bird, was such a longshot that $2 bets turned into over $100 once he'd won!
Along with the Preakness Stakes in Maryland and the Belmont Stakes in New York, these three races form what is known as the "Triple Crown." To win all three is considered a great achievement and, to date, only eleven horses have ever managed to do so.
Since the actual race itself is so short, much of the excitement surrounding the Kentucky Derby comes from the traditions and parties that lead up to it. The rich and famous attend charity events and watch the race from expensive box seats nicknamed "Millionaire's Row," and traditional songs are played as the horses are paraded onto the racetrack. People also sip the Derby's "official" drink, called the Mint Julep, but, since it's made with alcohol, it's for adults only!
Hats off!
One of the famous traditions of the Kentucky Derby has been seeing what kind of hats women (and men!) wear. Watching people is considered just as fun as watching the horses at the Derby, and there are parades and prizes for the most elaborate toppers.
The tradition of wearing a fancy hat stems from the fact that, in the 19th century when the race first began, it was considered extremely impolite to go outside not wearing one. As fashions changed, ladies continued to wear wide-brimmed hats because it kept the sun out of their eyes. While not required like they were in the past, nowadays you're just considered a party pooper if you go to the Kentucky Derby and don't wear a fancy hat!
Ask an adult to help you decorate a Derby hat of your very own — use ribbons, feathers, flowers...whatever strikes your fancy!