Story and Photos by Michael Dwyer
Thousands of three-year-old thoroughbreds begin the road to the 2013 Kentucky Derby at the start of the year; only 20 horses will enter the starting gates for the big event. The best of the best will race one another over a dirt track for 1 1/4 miles. The winner will go on to be famous and the owners will receive a nice payout.
And Down the Stretch they Come
Kentucky Derby 139
The Kentucky Derby has picked up several well-known phrases over the years – here are the popular ones:
“The greatest two minutes in sports”
“The fastest two minutes in sports”
“The run for the roses”
“The most exciting two minutes in sports”
While many sports fans will argue that the last two minutes of any sporting event are the best to watch – most of the time that is true – the Kentucky Derby is only a two-minute event, wire to wire, and lives up to its famous quotes.
Since 1875, the Kentucky Derby has run every year. It is the first leg of the Triple Crown (The Preakness Stakes is second and the Belmont Stakes is third) and brings all of horse racing greats to one place on the first Saturday of May.
The View from Gate 1 at Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs
The 2013 Spring Meet at Churchill Downs runs from April 27 to June 28. Except for Oaks and Derby day, general admission tickets are only $3.00 and parking is free. That all changes for the Kentucky Oaks ($25.00) and the Kentucky Derby ($40.00) when tickets and parking prices increase dramatically.
The Kentucky Oaks race is the day before the Derby on Friday, May 3. There is live racing all day with the big finale at 5:45 p.m. The Oaks is for three-year-old fillies only. The crowds are less on Oaks day and many locals attend this day.
Of course, the highlight of Louisville in the spring is the Kentucky Derby. Crowds reach 165,000, rain or shine, and the big race runs at 6:24 p.m. Visit the Churchill Downs website for all the details of planning a visit.
The Infield Crowd is Large
Michael Dwyer’s Suggestions for a fun Derby Experience:
- Study the horses by visiting www.DRF.com and www.Bloodhorse.com
- Go to the Oaks on Friday
- Visit Louisville to plan your trip
- Take a camera
- Dress comfortably
- Stop by the Barbaro Memorial
- For as little as $2.00, you may bet a horse …
- Get a Mint Julep – at least one – if you drink adult beverages
- Consider jockey Calvin Borel a viable option no matter what horse he rides in the Derby
- Watch local TV in the morning while in Louisville for wonderful Oaks and Derby coverage
- Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum on Sunday (the day after)
- Can’t go? Watch the happenings on NBC Sports
Read about Michael Dwyer first-person experience of the Kentucky Derby here: https://rochestermedia.com/kentucky-derby-time-again
Michael Dwyer is a freelance writer and travel columnist. Michael writes about happenings in the Rochester area, travels across Michigan and destinations around the world. Contact him at [email protected]
About Michael Dwyer