Looking the Part at the Kentucky Derby

By Chris Frey
April 28, 2010

kentucky derby

Left: Kentucky Derby (Photo by Tom Lynn /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images); Right: A spectator wears a homemade hat as she watches the races. (Photo by DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

The Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY, this Saturday May 1,as it has every first Saturday of May, rain or shine, since 1875. Millions of viewers at home will join over 150,000 bystanders at the Downs to witness the explosive one-and-a-quarter mile race that lasts just over two minutes and kicks off, as it has since 1936, with the University of Louisville Marching Band playing Steven Foster’s “My Old Kentucky Home,” while the horses make their entrance onto the track. The Derby is perhaps the most notorious horse race in the world and is the first of three annual races (the others are the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes) known in the United States as The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.

Much has changed since the early days when stakes were low and the only way to determine which horse was which was the color of the silk worn by the jockeys. Today, one doesn’t necessarily need to travel to the picturesque bluegrass country of Kentucky to participate in the excitement. The Derby boasts a Facebook page, Twitter account, official online wagering website and massive media coverage thanks, in part, to an ever increasing-celebrity presence.

But according to Beth Cottongim, who has been attending the Derby for 20 years, there’s no comparison to witnessing what has been called “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports” in-person. She says, “Honestly, it’s hard to explain the feeling in Louisville during Derby Week; it’s kind of like the week leading up to Christmas.” Women flock to boutiques in search of a suitably vibrant Derby hat (oversize encouraged), while men make certain their best spring suits are back from the cleaners. Florists overstock roses—the official flower of The Derby—which are sold by the dozen to residents throwing parties in honor of the race that has yet another nickname: “The Run for the Roses.”

Cottongim first attended the Derby during college, partying in the Infield, the interior of the track, which holds approximately 80,000 people and has been compared on Derby day to Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras. She remembers, “You were lucky to catch a glimpse of a horse, let alone the race itself…but that wasn’t really the point. You just wanted to be a part of it all.” Fast forward a decade or so and Brown recalls her first VIP treatment where she, along with husband Louisville architect Christopher Cottongim, were guests of the Chairman of the Board of Churchill Downs in the prestigious Aristides Room, which offers one of the best views in racing. “It was incredible,” she recalls, “The Chairman’s horse ran and won and I found myself in the Winner’s Circle with Sir Richard Branson!”

In the weeks preceding the race, Cottongim whole-heartedly embraces the culinary traditions associated with the Derby: cheese smothered open faced sandwiches called Hot Browns; decadent derby pie (some say richer than pecan pie, if that’s possible); and the official Derby drink, the mint julep, a mix of sugar, water, mint and bourbon (preferably Kentucky Bourbon), sipped ice cold from a silver cup.

As for me, this year, I’ll be with friends, wagering with smalls bills, watching from my couch. Before placing my bets, I’ll carefully consider this year’s crop of esoteric horse’s names: Sidney’s Candy, Ron the Greek, Eightyfiveinafifty, Uh Oh Bingo and one of this year’s race favorites, Super Saver (which to me is like naming your horse Costco and that’s not very exciting to yell at that television in the heat of the moment).

In tribute to the style, cuisine and history of the race, we found a selection of Derby-inspired offerings on eBay.

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New Black Straw Derby Hat (winning bid, $21.95)
The look is southern preppy with an old fashioned vibe. Hats for all, but especially the ladies (where size matters and bigger = better). Linen and seersucker are suitable spring choices for men and flirty florals are always welcome for the women.
Lipten 18k Horse head Cufflinks (buy it now price, $2,595)
New Stetson Milan Fedora (buy it now price, $89.99)
New See by Chloe Floral Silk Dress (starting bid, $139)
New Kenneth Cole Men's Spectators (winning bid, $76)
New Ralph Lauren Seersucker Jacket (buy it now price, $159.99)
Rare Kentucky Derby Pin (buy it now price, $60)
Since 1973, a horse named Secretariat has held the record for fastest race. Own a painting of the champion or collect other mementos like a vintage pin or wagon, or even sheet music for "My Old Kentucky Home."
Kentucky Derby Wagon (starting bid, $599.99)
Kentucky Derby/Secretariat Oil Painting (buy it now price, $399)
"My Old Kentucky Home" Sheet Music (buy it now price, $9.99)
New Mint Julep Cups (buy it now price, $19.95)
"A Derby table demands a few must haves: a vase for roses, a home for Derby Pie and all the fixings for ice cold mint juleps. And make sure that bourbon is from Kentucky.
Mint Julep Spoons (buy it now price, $59.99)
New Woodford Reserve Bourbon (buy it now price, $125)
Derby Pie Keepe (buy it now price, $100)
Cambridge Footed Rose Vase (buy it now price, $329.95)