“The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” The Kentucky Derby

The first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, is one of the world’s most iconic sporting events, according to NBC Sports. Millions of racing fans will tune in on Saturday, May 4 to watch what is considered “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” Others refer to the Kentucky Derby as “The Run for the Roses.”

This year marks the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby, held each May at the historic Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville. Yet, only 36 mounts have followed up a Derby victory with a win in the Triple Crown’s second leg, the Preakness Stakes, according to wallethub.com. And a mere 13 have then sealed the deal in the Belmont Stakes. That includes 2018 Triple Crown winner, Justify. The chance to see history is, nevertheless, just one element of what makes the Kentucky Derby so special.

Food & Drink

It’s one big party at the Kentucky Derby! The most fashionable millinery also is on display, as roughly 90 percent of female attendees embrace the time-honored tradition of accessorizing with a big hat. What are the most popular food and drinks at the Kentucky Derby?

Each year, more than 120,000 Mint Juleps are served, topping the list of favorite food and drink. No. 2 is The Hot Brown, an open-faced sandwich first served in 1926 at Louisville’s historic Brown Hotel and a regional favorite. Sliced turkey and bacon are layered on top of thick bread, then covered in cheesy Mornay sauce and broiled until the bread crisps and the sauce browns. The hotel still serves its signature dish to this day. Other favorites include Pimento Cheese, Chocolate Bourbon Nut Pie, Kentucky Burgoo (a hearty beef stew) Bourbon Balls, and Country Ham Biscuits, to name a few.

Kentucky Derby at the FIA

You don’t need to go to Louisville to see all the action! On Saturday, May 4, The Contemporaries will host its inaugural Kentucky Derby Affair at the Flint Institute of Arts from 5-8pm. The event will feature a Southern menu from Table & Tap, which includes barbecue chicken and pork sliders as well as bourbon bread pudding. Attendees will also enjoy a silent auction with items from Neiman Marcus, Gaines Jewelry and Pure Bliss Salon, as well as other businesses, plus music and a live broadcast of the race.
The Contemporaries is an affiliate group of the Flint Institute of Arts, geared toward FIA members 21-45. The Contemporaries gains exclusive access to the FIA through special events, tours, workshops, and networking with other young professionals. Members must be an FIA member at the Individual Level ($30) or higher. The Kentucky Derby event is free to members of The Contemporaries or $75 for non-members. However, yearly membership for the group is only $50 for an individual and $75 for a couple and memberships may be purchased on the day of the event.

For more information about the Kentucky Derby Event or The Contemporaries, contact FIA Communications Coordinator, Chene Koppitz at 810.237.7387 or ckoppitz@flintarts.org. Run for the roses at the FIA’s First Kentucky Derby Affair!

2019 Kentucky Derby by the Numbers

$3 MILLION

Kentucky Derby Purse guaranteed by Churchill Downs

$1.86 MILLION

The Winner’s Share in 2019

$238 MILLION

The amount expected to be wagered at the 2019 Kentucky Derby

15 MILLION

The number of viewers of the 2018 Kentucky Derby

$150K

Attendees expected to attend the 2019 Kentucky Derby

$184.90

Amount paid on a $2 bet on Donerail to win in 2013 (most ever).

$60

Price of a General Admission ticket at the 2019 Kentucky Derby.

$5.99

Price of an official Kentucky Derby Mint Julep glass

The Horses

Listed here are the horses running in the Kentucky Derby, listed by qualifying points earned with morning line odds projected by Horse Racing Nation.

Tacticus (odds 6-1) Win contender

Omaha Beach (odds: 9-2) Top choice and likely favorite

Vekoma (odds: 15-1) Mid pack Finish likely

Plus Que Pairfait (odds: 50-1) Toss

Roadster (odds: 5-1) Lots still to prove

By My Standards (odds: 20-1) Toss

Maximum Security (odds: 10-1) Won’t be there at the end

Game Winner (odds: 8-1) Must use horse

Code of Honor (odds: 15-1) Use underneath

Haikal (odds: 30-1) Use in vertical wagers

Improbable (odds: 10-1) Threat to win

War of Will (odds: 20-1) A price horse with quality