T his year the 139th Kentucky Derby(otherwise known as the Fast two minutes in Sports) will start on May 4th at the Churchill Downs race course in Louisville. At last years event, all records were broken for both attendance and amount of money wagered. This year, those records are set to be smashed again with literally hundreds of thousands of people descending all with the goal of placing a bet on Kentucky derby.
There has been a massive amount of effort and work put into preparing for this world famous event. 20 of the fastest thoroughbreds in the sport will battle it out to see who takes the first jewel in the triple crown race.
Each year a plethora of movie stars, music stars as well as various sports stars all come to Kentucky for the chance to be part of some racing history. Everyone and anyone who’s a big shot in the horse racing world will undoubtedly want to be apart of the Derby celebrations.
The Derby is not just about horse racing though. It’s a month long party festival in which all sorts of lavish parties and celebrations will take place. Top class events are usually hosted in an around the time of the main races, and the atmosphere is in top gear 24/7.
One thing to consider if you are planning to visit around this time, is that you need to arrange accommodation in plenty of time. If you don’t, then make sure you bring a sleeping bag as you’ll definitely be needing it. There are loads of recommended places to stay in Louisville. One of the top hotels there, is the Embassy suites. Their breakfast is meant to be out of this world and will definitely set you up for the days racing if you decide to stay there. The Crown plaza is another popular choice, and they can provide transport locally.
If you are driving then your best bet is to park your vehicle with one of the local residents who will normally charge you anywhere from $20 upwards in order to use their driveway. It can give you great peace of mind though knowing that it’s in a safe location while you are at the races.
As well as parties, there are fashion parades to take part in. It is the Kentucky Derby after all, and the Churchill Downs hat parade is world renowned in it’s own right.
Nothing beats the trill of going to the races, and the Derby will definitely provided it’s visitors with a lasting memory of a time well spent. The festival is not just the pride of the people of Louisville, but it’s also a major cultural cornerstone for the United States.
