how to rock the kentucky derby.

As some of you may remember from last year, the Kentucky Derby is a big deal in my home. Bradley grew up 15mins away from Churchill Downs (where the race his held every year) and he has gone to multiple Derbys. This is the weekend he gets the most home sick and so I have learned to love the Derby for his sake. So naturally, I wanted to link up with Sarah of Venus Trapped In Mars for Fan Friday to give you guys a few more details on the special weekend and the sport of racing. 

Here is what you need to know leading up to tomorrow's race. 

//There is actually more than one race at Churchill Downs the day of the Derby.

//The race itself is only 2 minutes long. A lot of lead up to end in a quick finish. twss

//There are actually races on multiple days leading up to the Derby race.

//Jennifer Lawrence is from Louisville. This actually has nothing to do with the Derby, I just love her.

//The State of Kentucky and Southern Indiana make a big deal out of the Derby. We're talking fireworks known as Thunder Over Louisville the week leading up to it and the Friday of the Kentucky Derby (today) is a local Holiday and people often get the day off. 

//If you want to be like the top 1% you spend a lot of money and sit in classy seats and wear big hats. 

//If you want to actually party and get crazy at the Derby....Get tickets to the Infield. Rumor has it they don't mess around on the Infield. 

//The cocktail of choice on race day is Mint Julep, because Kentucky is Bourbon Country. Fact: they aren't actually that good. 

//Most importantly, know your horses. My advice - Know the top horse coming into the Derby and also the one that you think has the coolest name. I personally like the name Vicar's In Trouble, because it reminds me of the Friends episode where Joey finds the book Rachel is reading. 'Do you even know what a Vicar is?!' 'Like a goalie, right?!' 

//And lastly, never, never forget your big hat.

I also got you this song from one of Brad's friend's Band - Houndmouth. They are from the area so it seems fitting to have them for #backthatazzup Friday with Whitney - Kentucky Derby Edition.


Cheers the horsies!

<3 BB

cinco de derbs

The Kentucky Derby that is. The sporting event with the horses, for those of you who live under a rock. It also happens to fall on the same weekend as Cinco de Mayo this year. Double the fun!! yeyeye! 

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So here is the deal, I was not a huge Kentucky Derby fan until I met Bradley. It may even be a stretch to say I am a huge fan now, but I have definitely learned a thing or two when it comes to the Derby since dating Brad.  See, Bradley grew up in Indiana like 15 mins away from Churchill Downs - where they have the races.  He has grown up with the Derby and back home it is a really big deal. As in a week long festival. They even declare Oaks Day, the day before the races aka today, a holiday and schools and businesses close down. Anyway, he tends to get homesick every year around this week and I pretend to get interested so he has someone to share his excitement with.I'm a good girlfriend like that.

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Last year we attended an event called Kentucky Derby PDX, but this year we are hosting a little get together at our apartment.  Think BBQ, betting on races, derby themed foods and beverages, etc. With that being said, I figured I would share a few pointers on how to not sound like a neewb when it comes to the Derbs.

First: 

::How to pick your winning horse.

The most obvious choice is to look at the odds, check out the horses' past race finishes, blah, blah, blah. If you're actually into picking a horse based on odds go here or here.

But, an even better way to pick your winning horse is based on the following criteria:

::Best Horse Name - we're talking the weirder the better. Whatamichoppedliver (before hashtags were cool) and Walk Of Shame were both horses in past races.

::Best Jockey (aka little man on top of the horse) Jersey - The brighter the jersey, the faster the horse it's science.

::Horse Color (don't get racist on me) - White horses (if you include the colors gray and roan) have only won 8 times. Obviously, bet on those slim odds and win big!

Second:

::What to serve at a derby party.

People from Kentuckiana (they really call it that) love their Bourbon, their Derby Pie, and their Mint Juleps. If none of those are your cup of tea, try these desserts instead!

Third: 

::My Old Kentucky Home is a big deal. It is also the perfect #backthatazzup song for this week, obvi! 

Fourth: 
THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM FOR A KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY....

wait for it.... 
wait for it.... it's legendary

A BIG ASS HAT!

Kentucky Derby PDX 2012

Speaking of Big ass hats, here are some ridiculous ones.


Now go forth and #backthatazzup on into this weekend's Kentucky Derby!!!!

Cheers,

<3 BB