It's a Virtual Socially Distancing Down & Derby Kentucky Derby Party!
We are hosting a VIRTUAL Kentucky Derby Party this year via ZOOM and since there will only (physically) be two of us, I have made some modifications to our usual party fare, (recipes included below). In addition, I created some trivia puzzles to solve while we enjoy our Mint Julep Spritzers and wait for the race to begin. Finally, we will be drawing for the post positions and yes there will be prizes.
The 146th Kentucky Derby will take place on September 5. The race was originally set for May 2, but was rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The race is a lot different this year, as it will be run without fans for health and safety reasons. They originally planned to welcome in 14% of its 2015 record attendance to the event, which is around 23,000 people, but after reevaluating the situation decided it was best for all to keep their doors closed. The Triple Crown is also in a different order this year, with the Kentucky Derby second instead of first. This year, the Belmont Stakes Kicked off the trio of races.
LET’S TALK HORSES!
It’s that time of year again to watch the run for the roses, aka THE MOST EXCITING TWO MINUTES IN SPORTS!
I am not sure when my love for horse races became a passion for me, but I could hazard a guess that it might have something to do with my childhood, punctuated with a visit to Kentucky a number of years later. I have always loved horses and riding, (I was born and raised in Missoula, Montana). When I was about 10, my uncle Sid had several horses which he kept at the fairgrounds in Missoula. (They were race horses, but at that age I didn’t understand that there was a considerable difference in temperament from the Morgan/Quarter horse I liked to ride). Every time I would see my uncle Sid I would beg to ride his horses. One day he told me that I could stop by any time that I wanted and ride–MUSIC TO MY EARS! One day, sometime in early July, I walked the couple of miles from my house to the fair grounds. I found my uncle Sid standing by the horse stalls. He saddled up one of his horses for me and handed me the reigns. (I was wearing shorts, crop top, and SANDALS). I enthusiastically jumped up on the horse and gave him a swift kick. We were off to the races….literally! In the next 90 seconds, (which seemed like hours), I saw my life flash before my eyes as the horse accelerated to mach speed. The fence at the other end of the grounds was coming toward me at a frightening pace so I pulled up the slack in the reigns as quickly as I could while hanging on to the horse’s mane by my teeth….(Ok, a little exaggeration, but it felt about that dire!) I pulled back with all my strength and SCREAMED. The horse came to a jolting halt, just short of running smack into the fence. I dismounted, legs wobbling uncontrollably, and proceeded to lead the horse back to the stalls.
You might think that that experience would have ‘cured’ me from my love affair with horses. Quite the opposite. They are magic to me and I adore them! I especially admire and respect the jockeys and what they do every time they get up and ride. I will take a horse race over a car race any day…but probably won’t ride another race horse in this life time.
The Kentucky Derby is the longest running sporting event in the United States, dating back to 1875. The race has continuously produced “the most exciting two minutes in sport”, uninterrupted, even when coinciding with historical events like The Great Depression and World Wars I and II.
Here are a few facts to know about the Kentucky Derby:
- Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark was the Founder of the Kentucky Derby
- This race is one and 1/4 miles long.
- The last Triple Crown winner was Justify in 2018.
- The three races in the Triple Crown are:
The Kentucky Derby, held on the first Saturday in May
The Preakness Stakes, held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, on the third Saturday in May,
and finally, The Belmont Stakes, held in June, 3 weeks after The Preakness. - The longest of the three races is the Belmont Stakes at 1 1/2 miles long.
- The last 10 winners of the Kentucky Derby are: Justify 2018, Always Dreaming 2017, NyQuist 2016, American Pharoah 2015, California Chrome 2014, Orb 2013, I’ll Have Another 2012, Animal Kingdom 2011, Super Saver 2010, Mine That Bird 2009 and Big Brown 2008.
- Since 1919 there have been 13 Triple Crown winners. 22 times a horse has won the first two races.
- Jockey, Eddie Arcaro won the Triple Crown twice. He won in 1941 on Whirlaway and again in 1948 on Citation. He is the only jockey to win multiple times.
- On average, 300,000 strawberries and 120,000 Mint Juleps are consumed at the Kentucky Derby.
A Spicy Sparkly Sweet Kentucky Derby Menu
Turkey Meatballs with Peach Hot Sauce
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
Turkey Meatballs
- 1 lb ground turkey
- ½ yellow onion grated
- 1 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2 large eggs whole
- ½ Granny Smith apple peeled and grated
- ½ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- ¾ tsp fresh oregano finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Peach Hot Sauce
- 3-4 large fresh peaches peeled, cored and chopped
- 2 habanero peppers
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¾ cup distilled white vinegar
- 1 tsp sea salt
- pinch fresh grated nutmeg
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil and place the peaches in the boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Transfer the peaches to an ice bath. Cut peaches in half, remove pit and pull the skins off. Cut them into medium sized dice and place in a saucepan.
- Habaneros are very hot so handle them with care. (They can even burn your fingers). Use gloves or I used a short bamboo skewer to hold the pepper in place to seed and stem it.
Turkey Meatballs
- Mix all ingredients in a mixer with the dough hook attachment, or use your hands.Cook a tiny piece of the mixture in a small pan like a burger patty to taste for seasoning.Once seasoned properly, portion the raw mixture into even 2 oz portions. (You can use a scale or a scoop to ensure that all of the meatballs are consistently sized.Melt 1½ tablespoons unsalted butter in a skillet placed over medium-high heat. Place meatballs in skillet and brown on all sides. Turn heat down and cook until instant read thermometer registers 180°F.
Peach Hot Sauce
- Combine the peaches, habaneros, brown sugar, and ½ cup of the vinegar in a large saucepanBring to a simmer over medium heat
- Remove from the heat and let mixture cool slightly.Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until very smooth.Pour the mixture into a medium sauce pan, add the salt and nutmeg, and bring to a boil.Add the remaining ¼ cup vinegar
- Bring back to a boil and skim off any foam that rises to the top
- Remove from heat and pour into serving pitcher
Since we are ‘hosting’ a virtual party this year, we won’t have all of our friends around to enjoy my traditional Strawberry Bavarian Cream so I am opting for a simple twist on the classic.
Strawberries and Cream
Ingredients
- 1 can Trader Joe's Sparkling Strawberry Juice
- 3 scoops good vanilla ice cream
- fresh strawberries garnish
Instructions
- Place ice cream in a tall glassPour Sparkling Strawberry Juice over topGarnish with strawberries and serve with a straw and long handled spoon
Mint Julep Spritzer
Ingredients
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves packed
- 1 cup bourbon
- 2 10-oz bottles club soda chilled
- 6 cups crushed ice
- 8 fresh mint sprigs
Instructions
- Mix fresh lemon juice, sugar, and fresh mint leaves in small bowl until sugar dissolves; press on mint with back of spoon to crush lightly. Let stand 30 minutes.
- Strain mint and lemon mixture into pitcher. Mix in bourbon, then club soda and ice. Pour into 8 tall glasses.Garnish each drink with mint sprig.
Bourbon Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups crushed vanilla wafers about 8 ounces
- 1 cup finely chopped toasted pecans
- 8 oz bittersweet chocolate 67 percent cacao chocolate, chopped
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup bourbon
Optional coatings
- finely ground vanilla wafers
- finely chopped pecans or other nuts
- dusting of cocoa powder, cinnamon sugar, or confectioners sugar
Instructions
- Combine the crushed wafers and pecans in a large bowl. Place the chopped chocolate in a separate bowl.
- In a small saucepan, combine the cream, corn syrup, and cinnamon, place over medium heat, and bring to just a boil, stirring constantly. Immediately pour the mixture over the chopped chocolate and whisk to blend in the cream as the chocolate melts. Let cool for 1 to 2 minutes, then whisk in the bourbon.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the crumb-nut mixture and stir well to combine. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes. Form the mixture into balls with a small melon baller (about 2 teaspoons), roll in coatings if desired, and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 1 week.
Details: Refreshments Race Information Prizes
After winning the Belmont Stakes in June, Tiz the Law is the clear favorite heading into the 2020 Kentucky Derby. If he does win, he will be the first ever to win from the No. 17 post position.
To learn more about each horse running in the Derby, you can click on the jockey jersey images (below) and get ready to place your bet, (for real or pretend).
You can watch the 146th Run for the Roses on Saturday, on NBC
September 5 (approximate post time is 4:01 p.m. Pacific Time)
Who Will Win Place Show
Click on the jerseys
for all you need to know to be ITM
Gate 1
Finnick the Fierce
SCRATCHED
Gate 2
Max Player
Gate 3
Enforceable
Gate 4
Storm the Court
Gate 5
Major Fed
Gate 6
King Guillermo
SCRATCHED
Gate 7
Money Moves
Gate 8
South Bend
Gate 9
Mr. Big News
Gate 10
Thousand Words
Gate 11
Necker Island
Gate 12
Sole Volante
Gate 13
Attachment Rate
Gate 14
Winning Impression
Gate 15
Ny Traffic
Gate 16
Honor A. P.
Gate 17
Tiz the Law
Gate 18
Authentic
Until next time,
enjoy Entertaining An Idea
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