The Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks come the first weekend of May. Flowers and trees are back in full bloom. Gone are the days of cold, wet weather and, instead, paving the way for gorgeous sunny weather that awaits horse racing fans and bettors alike.
The Kentucky Derby headlines the first weekend of May
When one thinks of horse racing, the biggest race of them all comes to mind: the Kentucky Derby. This year, the race will mark a significant milestone, running for the 150th time on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the iconic Churchill Downs racecourse. This historic venue, with its twin spires and lush green track, has been the home of the Kentucky Derby since its inception in 1875. The race is not just a race but a celebration of history, tradition, and the spirit of competition. The anticipation is palpable, and the excitement is building as we approach this monumental event. There will be big hats, glamorous dresses, three-piece suits, and Woodford Reserve Bourbon for those of legal drinking age.
The Kentucky Derby gives us all the grandeur of the power, prestige, and majesty behind one of Kentucky’s longest-standing races. The history of this race dates back to the year 1875. The Kentucky Derby leads the three-race stretch that encompasses what is known as the Triple Crown.
Kentucky Derby Favorites
This year, the Kentucky Derby will showcase another round of 3-year-old thoroughbred horses, each yearning to savor victory and inscribe their name alongside the legends that came before them, such as the illustrious Triple Crown Winners, Secretariat, and American Pharoh. The Kentucky Derby, familiar to many in the horse racing realm as the Run for the Roses, is a race that carries with it a sense of prestige and honor. It’s not just a race, it’s a heritage.
While several races preceded the Kentucky Derby, two significant races preceded the Running of the Roses. These races are the Jeff Ruby Steaks, held at Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky, and the Kentucky Oaks, run the day before the Derby.
The Kentucky Oaks
The Kentucky Oaks only sometimes took place before the Derby, when both races got their first start back in 1875, it was the Derby that ran first, followed eight days later by the Oaks. This year also happens to be the 150th running of the Kentucky Oaks, a race where three-year-old fillies or female horses compete. The Kentucky Oaks first took off on May 19, 1875. This race boasts the second highest attendance for any horse race, right behind that of the Triple Crown races, and is renowned for its festive ambiance and the tradition of the ‘Lilies for the Fillies’ where the winning filly is adorned with a garland of lilies.
Leading the Way to the Kentucky Derby
These two races culminate months of hard work and dedication by the owners, trainers, jockeys, and horses. This year also boasts two horses running in the Derby entered from the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park back in March: Endlessly and West Saratoga. These horses, like many others, have been meticulously trained and prepared for this moment, with their owners and trainers hoping to see their efforts pay off on the big day. The winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks is the horse that goes on to run in the Derby. West Saratoga, a promising young horse, had enough race points this season to qualify to run in the Derby, a testament to his skill and potential.
The first weekend in May sure brings life and excitement to the Bluegrass State. There is a reason why the Kentucky Derby is called the “fastest two minutes in sports” or “the most exciting two minutes in sports.” That’s all it takes. Just around two minutes at a track one and one-quarter mile long, the winner’s name becomes etched forever in horse racing history. Thirteen horses have won at the Derby and gone on to sweep the Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont). The most recent Triple Crown winner was Justify back in 2018.
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About the Author
Amanda Bentle is a mother with many talents under her belt. She is also wife, co-worker, friend, daughter and sister. Writing is something that has always come naturally to her. Amanda is able to share her love of many hobbies as she is not a one hobby kind of gal, with her husband and son. Not only is Amanda a master of many talents and hobbies but one of the many things she loves as much as her little family are the cats and dogs that she has rescued and welcomed into her little family over the last seven to ten years.
