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 may have something to do with my childhood, punctuated with a visit to Kentucky a number of years later.

I have always loved horses–especially riding them. (I was born and raised in Missoula, Montana). When I was about 10 years old, my uncle Sid had several horses which 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 between the Morgan/Quarter horse I liked to ride and a young Thoroughbred race horse.) Every time I would see my uncle, I would beg him to let me ride his horses. One day, he told me that I could stop by any time that I wanted and ride-MUSIC TO MY EARS! So, one day in early July, I walked the couple of miles from my house to the fair grounds, where I found my uncle standing by the horse stalls.

He saddled up one of his horses for me and handed me the reigns. (Incidentally, I was wearing shorts, a crop top and SANDALS). I enthusiastically jumped up on the horse and gave him a swift kick and we were off to the races….literally! 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 reign as quickly as I could while hanging on to the horse’s mane with 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, my legs wobbling uncontrollably, and proceeded to lead the horse back to his stalls.

One might think that this experience would have ‘cured’ me from my love affair with these gorgeous beasts, but quite the contrary. I find them magical and I will always adore them. What I did learn is to admire and respect the jockeys. I will always enjoy watching horse races, but will probably never 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. (In 2020, it was held in September, due to the Pandemic).

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: Mandalou 2021, Authentic 2020, Country House 2019, Justify 2018 (Triple Crown Winner), Always Dreaming 2017, Nyquist 2016, American Pharoah 2015, California Chrome 2014, Orb 2013, I’ll Have Another 2012 and Animal Kingdom 2011.
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.

Mint Julep Spritzer

For anyone born in the Bluegrass State, the mint julep has a special significance; It's traditionally served on Kentucky Derby Day, the first Saturday in May. This is a Bon Appétit recipe and they added a splash of club soda to make the drink a little lighter and more refreshing.

Course Drinks

Keyword Alcoholic Beverage, 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.