Posts Tagged ‘Derby’

History Of The Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby was founded by Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr. who was then a horse racing enthusiasts and had traveled to many places to witness various horse derbies in Europe. Practically, the prestigious Epsom Derby in England, and the Grand Prix de Paris inspired Col. Clark, Jr. into organizing one as well.

Upon returning to Kentucky, Col. Clark, Jr. organized the Louisville Jockey Club in order to raise money for building quality racing facilities just outside the city of Kentucky. This track was later on named Churchill Downs after Col. Clark, Jr.’s relatives who provided the land for the racetrack. This was then the home of Kentucky Derby.

Originally, the Kentucky Derby was run at 1 1/2 miles, which is the same distance ran at the Epsom Derby. However, this was later changed to 1 1/4 miles, and has been carried on until today. In 1875, in front of approximately 10,000 people, a field of 15 three-year-old horses contested the first Kentucky Derby. This first race was an instant success. From henceforth, the Kentucky Derby has been observed annually.

Today, although a lot of people would want to witness the Kentucky Derby, others cannot. This does not mean though that there are no other means of being on the Kentucky Derby aside from being there yourself. With the advances in technology, almost everything is possible including being able to bet in the Kentucky Derby.

Online gambling sites provide many opportunities for horse race betting. In fact there are a number of exciting horse racing bets that you can make online such as the Quinella, Superfecta, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 6, and Straight Bets. Although online betting is not really the same as the actual betting where the real action is; many online gambling sites provide features which allow you to feel the excitement of the real race as well.

In order to make wise wagers though, you have to carefully choose the specific type of bet that you would like to engage in. Furthermore, before making any bet, you need to understand the mechanics of the bet and how it is done. Moreover, it is also important to consider the physical condition and appearance of the horses before choosing the horse on which you place your bet on. Finally, you also need to check on the jockey, most especially his track record.

Horse Racing ? Review 2007 Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world.  It classifies as a Grade 1 stakes race for horse that are three years old.  The Kentucky Derby is always held in Louisville, Kentucky and draws huge numbers every year.  The race is held on the first Saturday in May and is 1 1/4 miles long.  Churchill Downs is the site for the race and people tune in from all over the world to see “The Run for the Roses”.  Every year horses and trainers vigorously prepare to enter and win this anticipated race.  Many times, there are big upsets and relatively unknown horses will walk away with the purse.

The 2007 Kentucky Derby, held on Saturday, May 5, and sponsored by Yum! Brands, proved to be another exciting race to be put down in Derby history.  It featured 20 different three year old colts who all were nervously waiting for the snap to sound and for their chance to break out of the gate.  The $2 million dollar purse made trainers, owners, and bettors a bit nervous as well.

Earlier in the week it had been rainy and muddy but the sun came out on this Saturday morning as if anticipating the race as well.  The dirt was hardened and  the race was moved back to “fast” status.  As the 133rd running of the Derby, it proved to be a fine day for a race.  The two top horses going into the race were the 9-2 favorite Street Sense and the 5-1 second place horse Curlin.  Both were attempting to upset history and take home the victory.  Close behind them in the favorites were Scat Daddy (7-1) and Hard Spun (10-1).

As the race began, Hard Spun came out on top just past the grandstand by about three lengths.  At about the half mile mark and onto the backstretch, the horses bunched up to try and take a stab at the lead.  Teuflesberg, Sedgefield, and Cowtown Cat were all apart of this jumble of horses that were looking to take over the front runner.  Just behind them was Street Sense who, under the direction of his jockey Calvin Borel, watched the horses jumble up and then cut over by the rail to save some ground.  At this point, Hard Spun was still about three lengths ahead of the pack but Street Sense found an opening and surged forward to gain the lead.  The final furlong allowed Street Sense to gain some speed and he ended up winning by about 2 1/4 lengths.  He clocked a time of 2:02.17 and came out the victor.  Hard Spun came in second place, Curlin came in third, and Imawildandcrazyguy finished up the top four.

After the race, Street Sense’s jockey and trainer each had praising words to say about the horse.  Calvin Borel said that Street Sense was “the best 3-year-old I’ve ever been on in my life.” Trainer, Carl Nafzger said that “This horse has never ran a bad race.  He’s done everything he’s supposed to.  I’ve got all the faith in the world in this horse and I can’t say enough about him.”

The Kentucky Derby: Ixs

The popular Kentucky Derby is source of great entertaining enjoyment for its exciting spectators.Actually, It is a Grade I stakes race with three-year-old thoroughbred horses which is being held annually in Louisville, Kentucky always on the first Saturday in May, covering the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival.
The distance of of the race is one and one-quarter miles (2.012 km) at Churchill Downs. The colts as well as geldings of the race weigh about 126 pounds (57 kg), fillies 121 pounds (55 kg). The Race is popularly known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in as well as “The Run for the Roses” . The reason of the first given name is “its estimated time length” and for the second name is “the blanket of roses awarded to the winner”. Its popularity can be judged by the jubilation and excitement of its 155,000 fans.
The Horse breeding and racing has been one of Kentucky’s specialty tradition since the late 1700s. Kentucky thrives on the Ordovician fields of the Bluegrass region that produces higher amounts of calcium which results in the production of superior race horses. Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., grandson of William Clark were the greatest lover of the horse racing.They used to travele ( http://www.ticketnest.com/travel.php ) to Paris, France and enjoyed watching thrilling horse racings organised by the the French Jockey Club.
Clark was that leading man who established the Louisville Jockey Club for generating money to build a high quality racing facilities just outside of the city. He was lucky enough that the track was later known as Churchill Downs, named for Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr.’s relatives, John and Henry Churchill, who had supplied the land for the racetrack. Formally in 1937, the racetrack was incorporated as Churchill Downs.
The First race of The Kentucky Derby was run at 1.5 miles (2.4 km), similar distance as the Epsom Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris. Later, this distance was altered to its present 1.25 miles (2.01 km) in 1896. On May 17, 1875, the race loving crowd of 10,000 people witnessed a field of in total 15 three-year-old horses contested the first Derby.
From 1875 to 1902, African-American jockeys won 15 out of 28 runnings of the Kentucky Derby. On May 11, 1892, African-American jockey Alonzo “Lonnie” Clayton, age 15 became the youngest rider to win the Derby on 11th May, 1892. Elwood won the race, the first Derby starter plus winner to be owned by a woman, Laska Durnell in 1904. Regret was the first filly to win the Kentucky Derbyin 1915 whereas and in 1917, the English bred colt “Omar Khayyam” was the first foreign-bred horse to win the race.
In order to earn huge chunk of amount, the horse owners started sending their victorious Derby horses to compete a few weeks after in the Preakness Stakes at the Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore, Maryland, followed by the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York. All three races provided the largest purse and in 1919 Sir Barton was the first horse to win all three races. Moreover, the term Triple Crown didn’t come for about another eleven years. Later Gallant Fox became the second horse to win all three races and the public loved referring these horses as Super horses.
For more information about The Kentucky Derby visit: http://events.ixs.net/sports-tickets/Miscellaneous/Kentucky-Derby/index.aspx

Recipes for Your Kentucky Derby Party–benedictine, Kentucky Derby Pie and Limoncello Mint Lemonade

Kentucky horse racing can be traced back to 1783 when races were being held in the middle of Kentucky streets and on a number of private tracks located on farms throughout the area.

Several concerned citizens complained about safety issues, and eventually the first race track was built in Lexington in 1789.

Almost one hundred years later in 1872, a young entrepreneur named Col. M. Lewis Clark traveled in England and France visiting a number of prominent racing leaders. Upon his return, he devised a plan to create a Louisville Jockey Club to showcase the Kentucky breeding industry.

The track formally opened May 17, 1875 when over 10,000 excited fans witnessed four spectacular races. The winner of the first race was Bonaventure, however the winner of the day’s featured race, the Kentucky Derby, was a three-year-old chestnut colt named Aristides.

Eventually the track became known as “Churchill Downs-Home of the Kentucky Derby” because Clark leased the land from his uncles, John and Henry Churchill.

Over the years, several improvements have been made to the property, including the addition of the now famous spires on the top of the main building, making Churchill Downs the most well known horse racing venue in the United States.

This year, the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place on May 3, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Take this opportunity to officially welcome Spring and plan a Kentucky Derby party. I’ve given you a few of my favorite recipes to help get you started.

Appetizer–Warm Vidalia Onion Dip

Made with the sweetest onions and served warm with your favorite crackers, get ready to hand out this recipe. Our Aunt Diane first made this dip and since then it has become a family favorite.

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup sweet onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

Assorted crackers

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Stir in cheese and spoon mixture into shallow baking dish.

Bake for 40 minutes or until dip is bubbly. Serve warm with crackers.

Main Course–Benedictine (Cucumber Sandwiches)

Served regularly at the Kentucky Derby, Benedictine is made with cucumber and cream cheese and is named after the restaurant that first created it. The most common way to eat it is to make finger sandwiches by spreading the mixture on cocktail bread. You can also thin it out with sour cream to make a dip for vegetables.

1 large cucumber

Grated 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons onion

1/4 tsp salt

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

Dash green food coloring (optional)

Cocktail bread (pumpernickel is good) or vegetables

To make it, start by paring, grating and draining the cucumber. Combine with remaining ingredients in food processor and pulse until well combined.

Dessert–Kentucky Derby Pie

There are a million recipes for Kentucky Derby Pie but I like this one because it’s made with chocolate and walnuts. It’s rich and gooey.

1/2 cup butter, melted

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

2 eggs

1 tablespoon bourbon

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 prepared 8 inch pie crust

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spread chocolate chips and nuts in bottom of prepared pie shell.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Mix in flour. Beat the eggs slightly, and stir into the creamed mixture. Add bourbon.

Pour filling into pie shell (over chips and nuts) and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.

Cocktail–Limoncello Mint Lemonade

Limoncello Mint Lemonade is a new wave cocktail made with fresh mint leaves.

1/2 cup lemonade concentrate

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Ice cubes

1/4 cup Limoncello (lemon liqueur)

1/2 cup club soda

In a small pitcher, “muddle” mint leaves together with lemonade concentrate and lemon juice. Muddle means to bruise the leaves so they release their flavor. I use the end of a wooden spoon.

Stir in ice cubes, Limoncello and club soda and pour into 4 glasses. Top them off with a lemon slice and a sprig of fresh mint.

Makes 4-10 oz. drinks.

Invite some friends over, make some great food and watch the Kentucky Derby together. Hopefully I’ve given you some recipes to start with.

A Kentucky Derby Recipe Collection–benedictine, Kentucky Derby Pie and Limoncello Mint Lemonade

Kentucky horse racing can be traced back to 1783 when races were being held in the middle of Kentucky streets and on a number of private tracks located on farms throughout the area.

Several concerned citizens complained about safety issues, and eventually the first race track was built in Lexington in 1789.

Almost one hundred years later in 1872, a young entrepreneur named Col. M. Lewis Clark traveled in England and France visiting a number of prominent racing leaders. Upon his return, he devised a plan to create a Louisville Jockey Club to showcase the Kentucky breeding industry.

The track formally opened May 17, 1875 when over 10,000 excited fans witnessed four spectacular races. The winner of the first race was Bonaventure, however the winner of the day’s featured race, the Kentucky Derby, was a three-year-old chestnut colt named Aristides.

Eventually the track became known as “Churchill Downs-Home of the Kentucky Derby” because Clark leased the land from his uncles, John and Henry Churchill.

Over the years, several improvements have been made to the property, including the addition of the now famous spires on the top of the main building, making Churchill Downs the most well known horse racing venue in the United States.This year, the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place on May 3, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Take this opportunity to officially welcome Spring and plan a Kentucky Derby party. I’ve given you a few of my favorite recipes to help get you started.Appetizer–Warm Vidalia Onion Dip

Made with the sweetest onions and served warm with your favorite crackers, get ready to hand out this recipe. Our Aunt Diane first made this dip and since then it has become a family favorite.

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup sweet onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese Assorted crackers

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Stir in cheese and spoon mixture into shallow baking dish.

Bake for 40 minutes or until dip is bubbly. Serve warm with crackers.Main Course–Benedictine (Cucumber Sandwiches)

Served regularly at the Kentucky Derby, Benedictine is made with cucumber and cream cheese and is named after the restaurant that first created it. The most common way to eat it is to make finger sandwiches by spreading the mixture on cocktail bread. You can also thin it out with sour cream to make a dip for vegetables.

1 large cucumber Grated

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons onion

1/4 tsp salt

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

Dash green food coloring (optional)

Cocktail bread (pumpernickel is good) or vegetables

To make it, start by paring, grating and draining the cucumber. Combine with remaining ingredients in food processor and pulse until well combined.Dessert–Kentucky Derby Pie

There are a million recipes for Kentucky Derby Pie but I like this one because it’s made with chocolate and walnuts. It’s rich and gooey.

1/2 cup butter, melted

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

2 eggs

1 tablespoon bourbon

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 prepared 8 inch pie crust

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spread chocolate chips and nuts in bottom of prepared pie shell.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Mix in flour. Beat the eggs slightly, and stir into the creamed mixture. Add bourbon.

Pour filling into pie shell (over chips and nuts) and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.Cocktail–Limoncello Mint Lemonade

Limoncello Mint Lemonade is a new wave cocktail made with fresh mint leaves.

1/2 cup lemonade concentrate

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Ice cubes

1/4 cup Limoncello (lemon liqueur)

1/2 cup club soda

In a small pitcher, “muddle” mint leaves together with lemonade concentrate and lemon juice. Muddle means to bruise the leaves so they release their flavor. I use the end of a wooden spoon.

Stir in ice cubes, Limoncello and club soda and pour into 4 glasses. Top them off with a lemon slice and a sprig of fresh mint.

Makes 4-10 oz. drinks.

Invite some friends over, make some great food and watch the Kentucky Derby together. Hopefully I’ve given you some recipes to start with.