Sports-Memorabilia -> Fan-Apparel-and-Souvenirs -> Other-Sports ->

The Kentucky Derby is the first of the three thoroughbred races held in the United States each year, known collectively as the Triple Crown. The derby is the first race, the Preakness Stakes is second, and the Belmont Stakes is race number three. It’s held each year at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May, and is preceded by a 2-week festival to celebrate the derby.

Often referred to as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” the Kentucky Derby is a short event, with a length of only one and a quarter miles. That it’s held in Kentucky is no surprise, considering the state’s history of horse breeding and racing. Meriwether Lew Clark, Jr. originally organized the Louisville Jockey Club, after traveling and seeing similar clubs across England and Europe.

His club was designed to raise money to build a quality track. His relatives, John and Henry Churchill, gave him the land and when the track was built in 1937 it was named Churchill Downs after those who provided the real estate. The first Kentucky Derby was held there in 1875. Then, the race was one and a half miles, just like the races Clark saw while visiting abroad. But it was later shortened to one and a quarter miles.

The race was immediately successful, but later financial difficulties saw a group of businessmen take over. It was only then that the Kentucky Derby grew to become the most important thoroughbred race in the United States. No horse over 3 years old can compete. Successful horses then go, a few weeks later, to compete in the Preakness Stakes, and then the Belmont Stakes.

1952 was the first year the Kentucky Derby was televised, and in 1968, the first horse to win the derby to later be disqualified because of the presence of drugs became Dancer’s Image. In 1973, Secretariat set the record for the fastest race, coming in at 1 minute, and 59 and two-fifths of a second.

The Kentucky Derby, though a venerable tradition, has changed with the times and other sports. Beginning in 2004, jockeys could wear corporate logos on their clothing, much like the logos painted on racing cars. And now thanks to a corporate deal, the race is officially called “The Kentucky Derby, present by Yum! Brands.”

A popular Kentucky Derby collectible is the souvenir glass printed with a list of all prior Derby winners. These are used to serve the traditional mint juleps at the race. The best way to get one is, of course, to drink a julep at the derby, but barring that you can find these cups and other race memorabilia in sports shops and places like eBay.

Pictures of winners sometimes signed by the jockeys are a fun type of derby collectible, too. The race is often called “Run for the Roses” because of the blanket of roses, exactly 554, that is draped over the winning horse. Photos of Kentucky Derby winners covered in roses are attractive and easy to display.

Originally posted 2008-12-29 05:00:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Vintage Sports Memorabilia If you are looking for a hobby or an endeavor that is exciting and profitable and you enjoy sports of any kind, then you may want to consider giving sports memorabilia collecting a chance. Maybe you have always had a serious interest in a sport team or a sporting event.......
• Collecting Signed Sports Memorabilia If you are interested in sports, then there is a growing business trend that you should be aware of, which relates to buying, collecting and selling signed sports memorabilia. This is a sound investment that would be well worth considering if you are into sports, but the first consideration that......
• Collect Sports Mugs as Memorabilia There are an endless variety of different items that you can collect relating to sports, depending on what your own preferences and interests are. For example, one collection that you may want to consider pursuing is to collect sports mugs as memorabilia. Learning how to collect sports mugs as memorabilia......
• Formula 1 T-Shirts Sports Memorabilia -> Fan Apparel and Souvenirs -> Racing-Formula 1 One of the most popular types of sports merchandise is apparel, particularly hats and T-shirts. So it stands to reason that Formula 1 T-shirts and other merchandise that celebrates the most popular racing in the world are a hit with......
• Spotting Real Autographed Sports Memorabilia Many people get excited about autographed sports memorabilia when they find it for a good price, and as a result, many people purchase so called authentic autographed sports memorabilia without investigating the authenticity of said memorabilia. The question that all buyers should be asking when shopping for autographed sports memorabilia......

• Epsom Handicap and Turnbull Stakes 2008 Its that time of the year again, as all who share an interest in horse racing watch the lead ups to the Melbourne Cup. Saturday 4 October presents feature races, the Epsom Handicap at Randwick, and the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. These will be the races of most interest, and......
• A return to Racing - Our Smoking Joe It is worth at least watching the races now, with the recent returns of classy runners Our Smoking Joe, Desert War, and Princess Coup. All 3 are running Rosehill today in different races, and all with a good chance. They have had a few warm up runs, and will be......
• Collecting Sports Autographed Memorabilia One of the keys to sports autographed memorabilia is to know whether or not your sports memorabilia is actually authentic. A lot of people find themselves wondering how they can be able to tell whether or not their sports autographed memorabilia is authentic. The bad news is that it is......
• Gator Football Recap: Kentucky Wildcats Game The No. 1 UF Gators have managed to take Kentucky down with 41 to 7 in Lexington. Still the top ranked college team in football, the Gator football team has managed to improve their score to an overall 4 and 0 and a SEC 2 and 0 after claiming......
• Doomben Summer Stakes for Enthusiast Saturday's Fixed odds race in Brisbane, is the Doomben Summer Stakes 1200m, on at 5.15pm. This looks like an interesting race, with many chances, but one runner stands out for consistent runs this campaign and beneficial factors in this race. Enthusiast is the Racing Selection in Doomben. This 7 year......

• Garden Stakes Garden D cor Yard, Garden Outdoor Living
• Betsey Clark Hallmark Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
• Current Year, Next Year Calendars Paper Collectibles
• 2.50, Quarter Eagle Gold Coins US Coins Paper Money
• Kentucky Patches Police Historical Memorabilia Collectibles