It’s that time of year! Ladies, grab your biggest hat, Gentlemen, find your most dapper jacket – it’s Kentucky Derby time! Whether you’re a fan of horse racing or not, the Kentucky Derby is a widely known event nationwide. It’s the time of year that groups gather together to watch horse racing. It’s one of the most exciting sports to watch if you have you’re betting money on a horse.
The Rundown
The Kentucky Derby is taking place this year on Saturday, May 6th in the beautiful Louisville, Kentucky. The Kentucky Derby is one of the top grade I stakes race for Thoroughbred horses that are three years old. The race consists of one and one-quarter mile long run on the traditional dirt racetrack right in the heart of Louisville Kentucky at Churchill Downs. Each year, 20 horses go head to head at the Derby, which consists of a larger track than average horse race tracks. An average of 8 horses race against one another.
The top 20 horses that make it to the Kentucky Derby must surpass the hurdles of the Road to the Kentucky Derby. This is a long road that is a series of 35 races across the country and all over the world. Each horse that makes it to the top 4 are awarded points in each of the 35 races. The 20 horses that receive the most points are those that make it to the Kentucky Derby. The winner of the Derby is awarded $2 million.
Planning Ahead
The race always takes place on the first Saturday of May each year and is the longest, most consistent sporting event in America. If you were wondering how many people make it out to the Derby each year, it always draws in around 155,000 people. As one of the most exciting sporting events in the world, the Derby is often referred to as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”
Not sure which horse to cheer on? Don’t worry – we got your covered. Take a look at the leaderboard for this year’s event here. Are you interested in attending the Kentucky Derby this year, or even hope to participate in a watch party? Check out their website for ticket information and where to watch here.
Have you ever been to the Kentucky Derby in Louisville? We’d love to hear about your experience! Drop us a line and tell us all about it. See y’all at the track on May 6th!
