The Kentucky Derby is billed as the most exciting 2 minutes in sports and I would have to agree!     This years Derby is on Saturday and I am getting pretty pumped!    I’m originally a city girl, growing up outside of Chicago where there just really aren’t a lot of horses.    Then in vet school my whole perspective changed.   Suddenly I was required to care for these beautiful and complicated animals, up close and personal.    The horses I met at the Ohio State University Veterinary School were so awe inspiring that I quickly became a wannabe “horse girl”.   I think the first time I watched the Derby was in the lobby of the vet school while on equine rotation.    Now when my daughter longingly looks at horses I totally understand!

So with out further ado -  here’s what’s to love about the Derby:

1.  Awesomely outrageous hats:   One of the biggest fashion trends at Churchill Downs on Derby Day is the Kentucky Derby hat. The tradition of wearing hats to horse racing events began in the United Kingdom for centuries. It can be traced back to the Royal Ascot, which is a world famous event and has a strict dress code. Specifically, it states that “all guests within the Royal Enclosure adhere to a strict dress code: male attendees must wear full morning dress including a top hat, whilst ladies must not show bare midriffs or shoulders and must wear hats.”    Wearing a hat to the Derby (or Derby party) is not only tradition, but is seen as good luck by some.

2.  HORSES!!!!! Ok – I know I already expressed how cool I think horses are, but come on!    These magical creatures can run 1.23 miles in 2 minutes while carrying a jockey weighing in at around 120 lbs while looking like runway models.    Who wouldn’t die for muscle definition like that!

3.  Mint Juleps: This has been the drink of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs for nearly a century – and who wants to mess with tradition!    Over 80,000 Early Times Mint Juleps are served over the two-day period of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.   (Maybe this explains the funny hats!)   If you want to carry on the tradition – check out the recipe below….

Early Times Mint Julep

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• Sprigs of fresh mint
• Crushed ice
• Early Times Kentucky Whisky
• Silver Julep Cups

Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

4.  The “Lingo”: I love the horse’s names – this years contenders include “Atomic Rain”, “I Want Revenge”, “Mr. Hot Stuff”, “Friesan Fire”, and “West Side Bernie”.   Even if you don’t know anything about picking a horse – you can always go for a name that tickles your fancy.    Then you can choose if your horse will “Win” (no explanation needed), “place” (come in 1^st or 2^nd) or “show” (come in 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd).    Then there is the blood pumping excitement when the announcer lets loose with “And they’re off…..” – the crowd stands, briefly holds their breath and then goes crazy…..   which leads me to the final reason to love the Derby:

5.   2 minutes of screaming your head off like a crazy person with complete immunity!!!!! So Ladies – break out your hat, get your drink on and get ready for a great show!

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