Kentucky Derby Week

For just over two minutes on the first Saturday of May, the horseracing world holds its breath as the finest thoroughbreds in the world circle Churchill Downs to determine the winner of the first race of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby.

Few people will ever know the thrill of owning or riding a thoroughbred in the crowned jewel event of horse racing, the Kentucky Derby, but covering the event for Reuters allowed me to  go where few have gone before.

I met the breeders, the trainers, the jockeys, the rich and famous owners, and the colorful fans as we follow the events from a series of exclusive parties held on fabled plantations to nostalgic steamboat races on the Ohio River.

And no Kentucky Derby is complete without mint juleps.  Over 80,000 mint juleps are served during Kentucky Derby Festival Week requiring 8,000 quarts of Julep mix, 150 Bushels of mint and 60 tons of snow ice.

The copious consumption of the sweet green juleps may explain such event as Bedlam In The Streets – an all out bed race down main street – and the Hat Parade where celebrants try to outdo each other with the most outlandish hats under the sun.

On race day, I discovered one of the best vantage spots to view the Derby - Trackside Village.  It’s a two-story venue set on the first right turn of the track where for just $3,350, a group of ten spectators can rub elbows with movie stars, politicians and corporate titans.

For those on a budget, the Churchill Downs infield offers another alternative to enjoy the race.  Since the first running of the Kentucky Derby in 1875, the 40-acre Churchill Downs infield has been a gathering place to exercise the first rite of spring.

Part Woodstock, part family reunion, the infield at Churchill Downs attracts 80,000 revelers each year for two days of festivities.  After a few hours of celebrating it began to look like the crowd no longer cared about the race or anything else except where to find another Julep, bottle of Jack or a beer. 

No matter where you end up, you’ll see why the Kentucky Derby is considered the best two-minutes in sports.