Tuesday Tales: The Derby and friends

Scroll down for the "blogger friend" award

"Mine That Bird" this year's derby winner 50-1 upset

The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three year-old thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter miles (2 km) at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds (57.2 kg) and fillies 121 pounds (54.9 kg).[1] The race is known in the United States as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" for its approximate duration, and is also called "The Run for the Roses" for the blanket of roses draped over the winner. It is the first leg of the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing and is followed by the Preakness Stakes then the Belmont Stakes.

In addition to the race itself, a number of traditions play a large role in the Derby atmosphere. The Mint Julep, an iced drink consisting of bourbon, mint and a sugar syrup is the traditional beverage of the race. The historic drink can be served in an ice-frosted silver julep cup but most Churchill Downs patrons sip theirs from a souvenir glass printed with all previous Derby winners. Also, burgoo, a thick stew of beef, chicken, pork and vegetables, is a popular Kentucky dish served at the Derby.

The infield, a spectator area inside the track, offers general admission prices but little chance of seeing much of the race. Instead, revelers show up in the infield to party with abandon. By contrast, "Millionaire's Row" refers to the expensive box seats that attract the rich, the famous and the well-connected. Women appear in fine outfits lavishly accessorized with large, elaborate hats. As the horses are paraded before the grandstands, the University of Louisville marching band plays Stephen Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home."

The Derby is frequently referred to as "The Run for the Roses," because a lush blanket of 554 red roses is awarded to the Kentucky Derby winner each year. The tradition originated in 1883 when New York socialite E. Berry Wall presented roses to ladies at a post-Derby party that was attended by Churchill Downs founder and president, Col. M. Lewis Clark. This gesture is believed to have eventually led Clark to the idea of making the rose the race's official flower. However, it was not until 1896 that any recorded account referred to roses being draped on the Derby winner. The Governor of Kentucky awards the garland and the trophy. Pop vocalist Dan Fogelberg composed the song "Run for the Roses" for the 1980 running of the race.

info from Wikipedia

When I was a kid my neigbors across the street raised thoroughbred horses for racing. He spent hours a day feeding, grooming, breaking and training these horses. I loved going over there and helping him and watching him put the horses through their paces. I live in Utah so that means that these horses were destined to live elsewhere where horse racing is a sport. I actually remember going with my neighbor to a few races held at the local fairgrounds. But those are the only "real" races I've ever seen. We went to Maryland a couple of years ago, but it was the week before Pimlico opened so I missed my chance to see some "real" races. We did go past some barns where I caught a glimpse of horses in training. Every year I've made it a tradition to at least watch the big three races--the derby, the preakness and the belmont. This past Saturday I was so busy that I missed the derby, so sad! But I was so glad that I could catch the replay and watch it over and over--you can view it here, at the official Kentucky Derby website. I do love watching all the the pre-race programming. I hope things slow down for the Preakness so I can catch that!

and thanks once again to Jack at slightly off center who had quite the weekend. Forest fires threatened her home and she had to evacuate. I'm glad she's safe. She's a great bloggy friend and I love visiting her page everyday. She passed this award on to me. Thanks Jack!

The following rules came with this "Friends" prize:
“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

thanks so much for your kind thoughts

Passing it on:

#1 Sneaky Momma

I choose her because she is so helpful. She has a blog set up just to help people figure out all the neat stuff that takes place in the html places in bloggworld. Also right now she is introducing a new person each week on her blog, interviewing them and just helping everyone get to know them better. I think she is a very friendly blogger.

#2 Faith, Fabric and Photo's

I choose her because she has such interesting little tidbits on her blog that she shares with other people. She is really interested in helping others view the world around us.

#3 Mary the teach at Sepia Scenes, Window Views and Ruby Tuesday's

I choose her because she hosts great photo meme's each week. She makes sure she visits everyone on the Mr. Linky list and she always leaves an encouraging comment about the photo. She also encourages blogger courtesy by suggesting that all participants visit each other.

#4 Kristi at Sweetsauer

she recently hosted an awesome photo hunt for the month of april. She encouraged people with all levels of photography skills to participate. She worked really hard picking and posting her favorite photo's into categories so people could go on her page and vote for their favorites. I had such a hard time trying to load my photo's on my blog page that I gave up and used Picasa. She was considerate of all entrants, asked for their input and commented kindly. She is an amazing and friendly blogger. She plans on offering a second hunt in June. I plan on participating. Thanks Kristi.

#5 the bumbles

I choose her because she's just so fun to read, and she always visits whenever I comment on her blog. I also like her monday movie meme

I'm pretty busy right now, were in the back stretch for the wedding--I'll be addressing invitations this week :) I'm not sure how much time for blogging I'll have, so apologies in advance for not visiting :)