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RVing The Run for the Roses
By Carrie Springer
 Horse racing in Kentucky is rich in history, dating back to 1789 when races
were held in Lexington on Race Street downtown at The Commons. By 1789,
complaints by "safety minded" citizens led to the formal development of a race
meet, and a course was laid out at The Commons. The men who organized this race
included Kentucky Statesman Henry Clay, who was also instrumental in forming the
Commonwealth's first Jockey Club in 1809.
In Louisville, races were first
held on Market Street in 1783. A course was later developed in 1805 at the now
abandoned Shippingport Island in the Ohio River at what was called Elm Tree
Gardens. Several other tracks were developed around both Lexington and
Louisville in subsequent years.
The most famous track, Churchill Downs,
formally opened in Louisville in 1875 and celebrated the 100th running of its
most prestigious race, The Kentucky Derby, in 1974 with 163,628 horse race fans
watching the "fastest two minutes in sports" from the twin-sparred grandstand.
Known as the "Run for the Roses", the race encompasses much more than two
minutes of thundering hooves. The Kentucky Derby is a tradition that has
blossomed into a multitude of events like the thousands of yellow roses that
grace Churchill Downs in May.
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November 1, 1987, opening day of the fall meet at Churchill Downs, a
larger-than-life statue of Aristides, winner of the first Kentucky Derby, was
dedicated in the clubhouse garden.
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The Kentucky Derby Festival is held annually
during the two weeks preceding the race that is always held on the first
Saturday in May. The festival is a community-wide celebration that features more
than 70 events and attracts crowds in excess of 1.5 million. Ranked in the top
10 events in America, it is most notable for "Thunder Over Louisville" that
kicks off the festivities on April 23rd and is the largest annual single-day
event in the Southeast. This celebration features "The Thunder" air show
followed by the largest annual pyrotechnic display in North America. During the
day-long celebration, various venues in the area offer music, food, spirited
beverages and great fun. The admission for some activities is a 2005 Pegasus
Pin, but most are free.
Visitors to the Kentucky Derby Museum can take a guided walking tour of
historic Churchill Downs.
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Pegasus pins are a story in themselves. For 33 years,
locals and visitors have purchased Derby Festival Pegasus pins to gain access to
the many Festival events, receive coupons, win free merchandise and show support
for their community's signature event. But these aren't just your ordinary
trinkets. Some have increased in value, and a 1973 pin in mint condition with
"Lewtan" on the back can bring $600 to $800. Start your collection at
www.kdf.org/store.
Other events leading up to race day include: The Great
Balloon Race that launches big and beautiful hot air balloons from the Kentucky
Fair and Exposition Center; The Fillies' Derby Ball, where the Derby Festival
Queen is crowned; and a half-marathon race that has grown into one of the top
three in the country. If you like basketball, Adidas hosts The Derby Festival
Basketball Classic where outstanding high school seniors play for charity. This
evening of round ball fun is "The Night of the Future Stars" game. Dominique
Wilkins and Moses Malone are just two of the former players who have graced the
court and gone on to stellar careers.
On May 2nd, you can catch the Great
Bed Race at the Broadbent Arena where there is no limit on fun, creativity and
outrageousness. More frivolity and laughter will be at Louisville Slugger Field
when area restaurant servers and corporate teams run around a half-mile obstacle
course while balancing six full wine glasses on a tray.
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At the Kentucky Derby Museum, every day is Derby Day! Visitors can stand in a
replica of the Kentucky Derby Winner's Circle. The exhibit is updated annually
with the current winner from the jockey's silks to the final odds on the tote
board. Pictured here is 2003 Kentucky Derby Winner Funny Cide with jockey Jose
Santos.
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On May 4th, the
Great Steamboat Race invokes nostalgic images of a bygone era when the Grande
dames of the Ohio River, The Belle of Louisville, The Delta Queen and the Belle
of Cincinnati, race 14 miles upriver and back to win the "Golden Antlers", the
symbol of steamboat supremacy for the year.
The Pegasus Parade, held on the
Thursday evening prior to the race, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
With dogwoods and tulips in full bloom, the stage is set on downtown
Louisville's main thoroughfare for a springtime pageant of magical floats,
marching bands, equestrian units and celebrities.
While in horse country,
don't miss the Kentucky Derby Museum where every day is Derby Day. Many of the
working horse farms in the area, like the famous Calumet Farm, are open to the
public, especially during Derby time.
RV parking at the smaller campgrounds
is at a premium during the Derby Festival. Advanced reservations are a must, and
many book up well in advance. There is more availability at the Kentucky Fair
and Exposition Center, with or without electrical hookups. Just over the river
in Indiana, there's a bit more elbowroom, but reserve in advance there also.
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Camping at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area in Western
Kentucky - 500 improved sites on 170,000 acres.
(Photo courtesy Land Between
The Lakes.)
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Abundant RV parking is also available in Lexington at the Kentucky Horse
Park. This park is situated on 1,200 acres and is the only park of its kind in
the world. With 30 miles of white fence bordering lush Kentucky bluegrass, it is
a working horse farm and an educational theme park dedicated to man's
relationship with the horse. The great thoroughbred, Man O' War, is buried at
the park, and a bronze statue of this amazing horse marks his grave at the
entrance.
The International Museum of the Horse is an outstanding display at
the park. The largest equine museum in the world, it traces the 58-million year
history of the horse with information about the more than 100 different breeds.
When you get tired of walking the farm, you can ride trolleys pulled by
draft horses, including Belgians and Clydesdales. Carriage rides are offered to
show you the beautiful stone walls and stunning vistas on some of the park's
back roads. The "Hall of Champions" features an elite group of retired champion
horses. See the best of the best right where they retired to be adored by fans
and pampered in horse-style luxury.
Seven central Kentucky distilleries offer
free tours on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The flavor of bourbon increasingly is
being added to Kentucky cuisine like "Sour Mash Bourbon Bread" and "Bourbon
Barrel Grilled Kentucky Freshwater Shrimp" offered in one Louisville restaurant.
And, of course, bourbon is an ingredient of the drink most identified with
Kentucky and the Derby, the mint julep.
There is so much to see and do in
Louisville, you'll have to stay a while to take it all in.
The Louisville
Slugger Museum and Bat Factory and the world-class Louisville Zoo (which offers
camel and elephant rides) are definite destinations to add to your to-do list.
And don't miss Thomas Edison's home.
For a slightly different Kentucky
experience, visit Kentucky Down Under (800-762-2869) located by the Horse Cave
exit (exit 58) off I-65, halfway between Louisville and Nashville.
For
dining during the Derby Festival, most of the local full-service restaurants
offer a set or price-fixed menu. Reservations are highly recommended, and food
is varied and abundant. Louisville really knows how to host a
party.
Transportation in the downtown area is only 25¢ on the trolley system
that connects Main, Market and Fourth Streets where many art galleries,
restaurants and major attractions are located. There is also a bus system that
connects downtown with outlying areas, and Executive Transportation System
offers an airport shuttle, limousine, charter bus services and tours.
The Derby Hat Story
In 1780, the Earl of Derby instituted a race for
3-year-old horses at the famed Epsom Downs near London. Since that time, these
types of races have come to be known as "Derby" races.
The tradition of Derby
hats has been around since the first Kentucky Derby in 1875. The formal or
dressy hats have been there since the beginning, especially as part of the
attire of the ladies. Many woodcuts, prints and other images from the late 19th
century show women, especially those seated in the clubhouse area, with hats.
Derby hats are a
tradition and a delightful way to
celebrate Derby
Day.
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The modern tradition of wearing crazy hats apparently came about in the late
1960s or early 1970s. A Louisville woman by the name of Cora Jacobs received
much press in 1973 for what the Louisville Times referred to as her
"tongue-in-chic" Derby apparel. Some of Cora's earliest hats were an oversized
hat consisting of long stem roses in 1966 and a 1970's hat referred to as "a
peacock mask made of peacock feathers that were several inches tall." It is
uncertain if Cora was the instigator of the "crazy hat" fashion at the Kentucky
Derby, but she was definitely one of the first to make news.
Hats are still
a part of Derby attire that add to the week of the fun, so pack your hat-it's
time to go to the races!
Unless otherwise noted, all photos,
courtesy www.gotolouisville.com.
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