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
Related Posts -
Lance Armstrong h4>Sports-Memorabilia -> Sports-Collectibles -> Fan-Apparel-and-Souvenirs Lance Armstrong is one of today's most well-known names, both in professional cycling and professional sports in general. Born in 1971, he went on to win the Tour de France 7 years in a row from 1999 to 2005, a record-breaking run that guaranteed...... -
What is the Best Sports Memorabilia? Millions of people are shopping online looking for the best sports memorabilia. The best sports memorabilia can easily span a number of different sports while including a wide range of different items including high demand items, rare items and cool items, funny items and even some more bizarre items as...... -
Baseball Pennants Sports Memorabilia -> Vintage-Sports Memorabilia -> Pennants-Flags Collecting baseball pennants can be a fun hobby for a sports memorabilia fan, or a fan of a particular baseball team. A collector can choose to collect pennants that were made during a certain year, a certain era, or pennants spanning the entire...... -
Bobbleheads Sports Memorabilia -> Vintage Sports Memorabilia -> Bobbleheads Bobblehead dolls may be considered silly by some, but there is definitely a national craze to collect them. Whether it is of a famous personality, sports hero, or even a cartoon character, these fun collectibles can be found just about anywhere. While...... -
Types of Sports Memorabilia Items to Buy There are a number of different forms that sports memorabilia items can take, including both modern memorabilia and vintage memorabilia. Some of the sports memorabilia items that you can purchase and add to your collection include: - Autographed sports memorabilia items, including balls, gloves, bats, cards and anything else that......
Related Websites -
About The English Thoroughbred by Paul Hubert Comberdale This breed of horse was originally bred in England due to the English horsemens desire to have a fast race horse. There are three that founded this bloodline which are: Byerley Turk, Darley Arabian and Godolphin Arabian, named after their respective owners, Thomas Darley, Lord Godolphin...... - We're Open Most of you know after reading my column week in and week out that it is no secret I am a golf fan. This upcoming week holds one of the best tournaments of the year in the Open Championship. Now we as hearty Americans call it the British Open, but......
- T-21 Hours 'til the 2009 Belmont Stakes Who's going to win? Will there be a Jockey winning the personal Triple Crown (riding the winner of each leg of the Triple Crown)? It's never been done before, but can be done if Mine That Bird wins and gives Jockey Borel victories in the Kentucky Derby (on Mine the......
- Giving 'em the bird Each year the first Saturday in May rolls aroundâ¦.and the casual horseracing fan in all of us takes over. It is much like the Indianapolis 500, or Wimbledon. You may not follow the sport at all, but one week out of the year you tune in. You watch. You might......
- Sports Beat Who is more upset right now? The Los Angeles Dodgers ownership, or all of the fantasy baseball nuts who have ManRam on their squads and have to find a 50 game replacement? I thing the Red Sox are pretty happy they have Jason Bay right now with all of the......
- Betsey Clark Hallmark Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
- Track Field Other Sports Fan Apparel Souvenirs Sports Collectibles
- Tom Clark Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
- Ornaments by Year Hallmark Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
- Guns N Roses G Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
