History Of The Kentucky Derby

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The Kentucky Derby has over 160,000 people come from around the world to attend the Kentucky Derby annually, and tens of millions watch on television. The Kentucky Derby is our state’s signature event, filled with traditions, legends, and celebrities. On May 2nd, of every year, is the Kentucky Derby and my birthday. The Kentucky Derby is an athletic event, because you get to understand the roles of the jockey and thoroughbred as athletes, as well as the scientific basis for their performance, it helps provide insights and comparisons into human training, nutrition, and health. “The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved” was hailed as a triumph and brought rabid attention to Scanlan’s. (McKeen 149) The Kentucky Derby is a horse race that …show more content…

Mint Julep is the traditional beverage. It is an iced drink consisting of bourbon, mint, and a sugar syrup. This drink can be served in an ice frosted silver julep cup or in a souvenir glass that is printed with all previous Derby winners. Burgoo, a thick stew of beef, chicken, pork, and vegetables, is the popular dish served at the Kentucky Derby. The rose garland is made up of 554 red roses sewn onto green satin. It weighs more than forty pounds. The Derby is known as “The Run for the Roses” because of the rose garland. The tradition started when E. Berry Wall presented roses to ladies at a post-derby party. The trophy is made up of fourteen karat gold and stands on a jade base. It is twenty two inches and weighs three and a half pounds. The Governor of Kentucky awards the garland and the Kentucky Derby trophy. The spectators bet millions of dollars every year. A set record was 194.3 million dollars in …show more content…

As a two year old horse, Secretariat won seven out of nine starts. Secretariat had a one minute and fifty nine second race and ran the fastest one fourth mile. Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes by thirty one lengths, becoming the first horse in twenty five years to win the Triple Crown. In the Preakness, Secretariat broke last but made an incredible last-to-first move on the first turn and cruised to a two and one half length victory. Secretariat contracted Laminitis. A month later, he was euthanized. Secretariat closed out his career with powerful triumphs in the Man O’ War Stakes and the Canadian International at Toronto’s Woodbine Racecourse. Secretariat was the son of 1957 Preakness winner Bold Ruler, a prolific sire whose offspring are fast, but unsound. His parents are Bold Ruler and Princequillo. He got Bold Ruler’s speed and Princequillo’s durability. Not only has Secretariat’s record time yet to be topped, in the race itself, he did something unique in Triple Crown races. Each successive quarter, his times were faster. Jockeys play a big role in the Kentucky Derby. Fourteen female trainers have competed with Shelley Riley coming closest to winning. The weight requirements for a jockey range from 109 pounds to 116 pounds. For jockeys to lose weight, 30 percent throw up, 69 percent skip meals, 14 percent take laxatives, and 67 percent do “hot box” in saunas.

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