151st Running Of The Kentucky Derby

Pay attention on Saturday, May 3, 6:57 p.m., ‘cause this is the fastest two minutes horse race. This year there are 20 horses in the race. One horse this year named Journalism will be ridden by Umberto Rispoli, a native of Italy.

Each year the winning horse receives a garland of 465 roses weighing approximately 40 pounds. The garland is made by Kroger. Very famous is the official drink of the Derby, the mint julep.

You will need a tall glass filled with cracked ice, official bourbon, Woodford Reserve poured over the ice, julep syrup to add a most sickening sweetness and a sprig of mint. For dessert, a chocolate pecan bourbon pie.

Who founded the Kentucky Derby? Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., the grandson of William Clark who along with Meriwether Lewis explored the western portion of the United States known as the Lewis and Clark expedition. Afterwards he toured race tracks in Europe. He patterned the Kentucky Derby after the English classic, the Epsom Derby.

Lucky me, I got to see Secretariat run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. in the ‘70’s. Of course, he won. Secretariat sired over 600 foals during his retirement.

Enjoy watching the Run for the Roses this coming Saturday on NBC. Grab a hat.