Date post: | 12-May-2015 |
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THE KENTUCKY DERBY The Kentucky Derby
is the most famous horse race in the world. The race takes place the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Many famous people, politicians, and people from all around the world visit Kentucky for the Derby.
THE RACEThe horses race for
1 ¼ miles which takes about 2 minutes.
The Kentucky Derby is sometimes called the “most exciting two minutes in sports”.
THE RACEAll horses that run in the Derby are 3 year old horses. Each colt (young male
horse) must carry 126 pounds. Each filly (young female horse) must carry
121 pounds.
The first Kentucky Derby was held on May 17, 1875 and was watched by nearly 10,000 people
During the 1875 race fifteen thoroughbreds ran what was then a mile and a half long racetrack
In 1876 the track was changed to a mile and a quarter
Today, the Derby is viewed live by almost 165,000 people at Churchill Downs and well over 14.5 million people on television.
Derby History
JOCKEYS
Each jockey weighs around 110 pounds
Jockey equipment includes a saddle, whip, boots, safety helmet, goggles, and silks.
Each Jockey wears a special silk designed by each horse owner
RUN FOR THE ROSESEach winner of the
Kentucky Derby is draped with a garland of red roses
On the eve of the Derby, florists from Kroger sew 554 roses into a green satin backing
The blanket also has the seal of the Commonwealth, the twin spires, and the number of the current Derby sew into it.
Since 1924, winning horse owners have been presented with a gold trophy
The trophy is been created by New England Sterling
The trophy is topped by an 18-karat gold horse and rider, is 22 inches tall and weighs 56 ounces
The entire trophy is handmade except for the molded horse and rider.
Trophy
DERBY FESTIVALTHUNDER OVER
LOUISVILLE is a fireworks display over the Ohio River that begins the Kentucky Derby Festival. Many activities are planned for the two weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby.
The Great Balloon RaceThe hot air balloon
race starts at the Kentucky State Fairgrounds in Louisville
Balloons fly to a spot and drop a sack of bluegrass seed on a target
The closest one wins the race
MINIMARATHON
13 mile race held the Saturday before the Derby
Held in downtown Louisville
Nearly 10,000 participants
Riverboat race between Belle of Louisville and the Belle of Cincinnati
Held every year since 1963
Held on the Ohio RiverThe winner of the
steamboat race wins silver-plated antlers
The Great Steamboat Race
THE PEGASUS PARADEIn 1956, the
Pegasus Parade was the first event held by the Kentucky Derby Festival
The parade is full of bright and colorful floats
Bands, beautiful horses, clowns and celebrities join the parade
Each year the Kentucky Derby pumps approximately 217 million dollars into the local Louisville Economy
Money is made from tickets, food, hotel, wagering, and souvenir sales
Without Derby local taxes would have to be raised to make up for the millions of dollars lost
1000’s of jobs related to the Derby would also be lost
Economic Impact
Kentucky Horse IndustryKentucky’s horse industry
is the number one agricultural cash crop in Kentucky
This vital industry pumps in an estimated 4 billion dollars annually into Kentucky’s economy
The horse industry also generates between 80,000 to 100,000 jobs
Without this industry billions of Kentucky dollars would be lost possibly resulting in the raising of taxes, loss of 10,000’s of jobs.
Kentucky’s economy would be crippled with out horses
Credits
Information and pictures taken from• www.churchilldowns.com • www.whas11.com • www.kdf.org • www.derbymuseum.org