“The sun shines bright in My Old Kentucky home…”
It’s that time of year again. The time for the refreshing reprieve of an icy mint julep, hats—fresh off the Paris runway—dripping with color and panache, dapper Dans donning seersucker suits with perfectly coifed bowties, and of course the twenty fastest athletes in racing meeting up for the “most exciting two minutes in sports.”
The Kentucky Derby has long held a prestigious role in the shaping of American identity. Churchill Downs stands as the world’s most legendary racetrack and has continuously hosted the Kentucky Derby since 1875. As the oldest sporting event in our nation’s history, the Kentucky Derby has withstood the test of time, surviving even crises like the Great Depression and both World Wars. Perhaps it is this tried and true legacy steeped in historical tradition that frames the Kentucky Derby as an iconic (if not romanticized) portrait of Americana, huddled in close company with fireworks, baseball, and fresh apple pie.
Fashion has always been an integral part of the pomp and circumstance that paints this image of what it means to “derby.” And yes—you can most certainly derby. From the white gloves and hats that gained popularity in the 1920s to the sundress and linen suits that dot the infield in more recent decades, the Derby has always been synonymous with vivid—if not outlandish—style.
The Derby is nothing if not an opportunity for women (and men alike) to experiment with headpieces of death-defying proportions. In its early years it was considered “indecent” for a woman to attend the event sans hat. From the 1960s onward, however, women’s Derby hat fashion has reached an ostentatious crescendo of color, height, and dimension. Some of the modern hats are so vivid, lifelike, and bedazzled with feathery accents that they almost threaten to take flight! Heck, I propose the hats have an event specially curated for themselves alone—a hat-off, if you will—where the twenty best, brightest, and most expensive hats face off in a cut-throat competition to see who will win the glory and be crowned with the roses. The hats—Oh, the hats.
Perhaps it is unsurprising, then, that the Kentucky Derby has evolved into a “who’s who” event of fashion. Athletes[1], Hollywood A-listers, and drunk college students alike descend on Churchill Downs, all with the singular purpose to see and be seen. Amongst the college-aged crowd in particular, Vineyard Vines or Lilly Pulitzer (or both!) has become the essential “uniform” and is a must; in fact, the infield becomes a walking advertisement for all things colorful and preppy. In fact, Vineyard Vines has been named “the official style of the Kentucky Derby,” and, to this end, the company has been flooding my inbox with emails peppering me with questions like “Are You Ready for Derby Day?!” long before the first signs of spring even began to feel like a possibility.
Yet this style and desire to partake in the day’s events is not confined to the loyal fans that flock to Churchill Downs to witness the derby in-person; indeed, “derby parties” abound with such ubiquity it becomes difficult to firm up one’s Saturday plans (particularly when you socialize with vet students who, like you, actually like horses.)[2]. Who doesn’t love a good theme party?[3] Derby parties have most definitely become a “thing”: I once attended a derby-themed bridal shower and was very recently extended an invitation to a party that played off the famous Jason Derulo song and exclaimed, “Talk Derby to me.” Even companies like Target have recognized the hype, and this season Target caters its offerings to appeal to a new wave of horse-betting, glamor-seeking, bubbly-sipping enthusiasts!
Fashion and frenzy aside, perhaps the Kentucky Derby’s renowned legacy stems from something more—something more authentic and rare. The fierce battle of competition, the sharpening of wills, and the unwavering hope that maybe—just maybe—the underdog will pull through and defy the odds to win it all.
Twenty horses line the gates every first Saturday of May—their owners, lineages, and stories all different—their lives now unspeakably interconnected and tied forever to this moment in history. Perhaps the circumstances that led these three-year-old Thoroughbreds to this historic racetrack in northern Kentucky may be different and varied, but these muscle-strewn athletes all drip with the grit, skill, and talent patiently cultivated and honed over time.
As the trumpet fanfare sounds to call the horses to post, twenty contenders will vie to determine who will be crowned the 145th champion of the Kentucky Derby.
- War of Will
- Tax
- By My Standards
- Gray Magician
- Improbable
- Vekoma
- Maximum Security
- Tacitus
- Plus Que Parfait
- Cutting Humor
- Haikal
- Omaha Beach (the favorite has scratched!)
- Code of Honor
- Win Win Win
- Master Fencer (JPN)
- Game Winner
- Roadster
- Long Range Teddy
- Spinoff
- Country House
- Bodexpress
Each of these horses carries a unique story sparkling with the profound weight of possibility that can only come with a fresh Saturday morning in May.
One of the most thrilling parts of Derby day involves hearing each horse’s story—from his (or, excitingly, her if a filly earns a spot in the race that year) undoubtedly impressive lineage, to where he was born, to how he trains, to the jockey that will accompany him on this harrowing 1.25 mile sprint around the track. It is for this reason alone that I make a point to tune into the Derby every year[4].
If I have my eyes set on one horse in the morning, undoubtedly I shift my loyalties several times before the race begins, my newly gathered information painting each horse in a fresh, flattering light and revealing glimmers of each new frontrunners’ undeniable spunk. In this vein, my mom doesn’t solidify her bet until she witnesses each horse conveying his character and wearing his heart on his sleeve as he makes his way from the cushy stall to the pressing immediacy of the gate.
You can tell a lot about a horse from the way he carries himself and responds to his surroundings, and it is when that fire ignites in his eyes that you know you’re in the presence of a true champion.
Who will win this year? Will it be By My Standards setting his own parameters for what defines victory? Will Cutting Humor woo the crowd with laughter and excitement? Or will Improbable rise to the challenge of defying his namesake and battle the odds? Only time will tell, but you can bet I’ll be watching.
May your mint julep stay fresh, may sun shine bright in your Old Kentucky home, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
[1] (The human kind.)
[2] Woe is me! Problems.
[3] Themed party aficionados, fear not: This weekend you’re in luck! Saturday you can “derby” your heart out and then trade in your mint juleps and Derby pie for margaritas and guac, as Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner. The party gods are smiling upon you!
[4] Whether its watching the Derby with my mom at home or attending a Derby watch party—This is one May tradition I don’t like to miss! When I lived in Tucson two of my friends came down from Phoenix for the weekend and we “derbied” under the fruit tress of the desert oasis that was my backyard. What did our Derby watch consist of? iPad streaming, “Lilies for the Fillies” drinks (vodka, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, simple syrup, and lemon…yum!), and—staying true to our desert surroundings—fresh tamales from Tucson Tamale Co. Unconventional? Yes. Authentically Derby? Questionable, but we sure thought so!
Comments are closed.