Kentucky Derby

Fascinators and Bow Ties

As some of you may know, there is a big day in sports coming up, and no, I’m not talking about the Thunder in the NBA playoffs.

Question: What is known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports?”
Answer: The 140th Kentucky Derby.

Now, I’m going to be frank with you all and say I know next to nothing about horse racing, and my only known knowledge of the Kentucky Derby is that women wear large hats (which I learned are called fascinators), seersucker is prevalent, and mint juleps are the drink of choice.

For those planning on watching the Derby with no prior information as to how things work, worry not, I’ve compiled a list of facts so you can fake it ‘til you make it.

The race is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Kentucky Derby is the first race of the Triple Crown, which also includes the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
The racetrack of the first Kentucky Derby in 1875 was 1.5 miles long but changed in 1896 to the current length of 1.25 miles.
Burgoo (a meat stew) and Mint Juleps are the popular food and beverage choices.
The blanket of roses placed around the winning horse is comprised of 554 roses.
While watching the Kentucky Derby, it will be helpful to know some horse racing terminology.

Horses are saddled in the paddock where they are held before the race.
Horses that have yet to win any race are referred to as maiden racers.
A female horse younger than four years old is a filly, while a mare is a female horse older than five.
A male horse younger than four years old is a colt, and a gelding is a castrated adult male horse.
A furlong is 220 yards (1/8th of a mile) meaning that the Kentucky Derby is 10 furlongs

Now that you’re up-to-speed on the terminology for the big day, here’s how you can win big at the Derby. Our Off Track Betting’s “Race for the Roses” promotion allows patrons to be eligible to win a share of $1,000 by entering their losing race ticket(s) into the hopper. The hopper opens at 9 a.m. and will close at 6 p.m. $1,000 in random cash drawings will be given away between 1 and 6 p.m.

If fashion is more your thing, the Fascinator and Bow Tie Facebook contest will be held on Saturday, May 3, on our Riverwind Casino Facebook page. I will post a photo of myself in a fascinator and you will just comment with a photo of yourself in either your fascinator or bow tie for a chance to win two vouchers to Willows Buffet. At approximately 6 p.m. that evening one winner will be drawn.

In the meantime, I hope you all can hold your horses until Saturday, May 3rd!