Your Guide To All Things Kentucky Derby

It’s time for Thoroughbred’s most promising three-year olds to show what they’ve got in the first leg of the Triple Crown on May 3, when Churchill Downs opens its gates for the 134th Kentucky Derby.

And while the undefeated Big Brown is this year’s favorite, presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has her eye on Eight Belles, the first filly to run since 1999. “I want everybody to place a little money on the filly,” she told supporters outside her Kentucky state headquarters.

Choosing a personal favorite is only one way to get in on the action. The weather calls for scattered thundershowers in Lexington on Saturday, but for those of us who will watch the race from our favorite La-Z-Boy, (LZB) here’s how to get in on the action.

Learn the Lingo
Acey-Deucy- When a jockey rides with uneven stirrups.
Also-Ran- A horse that doesn’t finish in the top three.
ATS – Against the spread
Dwelt- A horse that’s late out of the gate.
Furlong- One furlong equals and eighth of a mile, 660 feet or one kilometer. The race is 10 furlongs.
Inside- Anything to the left of the horse.
Late Money- Bets made within five minutes of the race start.
The Stick – The jockey’s whip
Three-Eighths Pole- On the inside rail, this pole is exactly three furlongs from the finish.
Trifecta- Picking the first three finishers, in the correct order.

Drink the Drink
Mint Juleps have been the derby’s signature drink since 1938, and each year more than 80,000 of the sweet delights are served during the two-days of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby. Just how do you pull off 80,000 juleps? With 8,000 liters of Early Times (BF.A) Mint Julep Cocktail, 2,200 pounds of freshly harvested mint, and 80 tons of shaved ice. Though controversy rages over what makes a true Julep, (chipped or shaved ice? Crystalline or boiled sugar?) this recipe comes straight from Churchill Downs. Juleps are mandatory for an authentic home derby experience and they only require 3 ingredients other than water. Dissolve the sugar in the water and then let it cool with six to eight sprigs of mint (preferably overnight) before adding the rest. Just be careful not to bruise the mint!
Here’s the breakdown:
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• Sprigs of fresh mint
• Crushed ice
• Early Times Kentucky Whisky (amount varies according to your taste)