How to Derby according to The Withrow Group

The 144th Run for the Roses will take place this upcoming Saturday, May 5th, but the celebration in Louisville has been going for the last couple of weeks. Here is a 5 minute rundown of everything you need to know to have a successful 2018 Derby, courtesy of The Withrow Group of Keller Williams Realty Louisville East.

POST SCHEDULE - Gates open at 8:00am

OAKS DAY, Friday, May 4th

Race 1   10:30am

Race 2   10:58am

Race 3   11:26am

Race 4   11:59am

Race 5   12:35pm

Race 6   1:17pm

Race 7   2:00pm

Race 8   2:53pm

Race 9   3:53pm

Race 10  5:04pm

Race 11  6:12pm - Kentucky Oaks Race

Race 12  6:48pm

Race 13  7:23pm

KENTUCKY OAKS POST POSITIONS

1. Sassy Sienna 15-1
2. Coach Rocks 12-1
3. Classy Act 15-1
4. Chocolate Martini 12-1
5. Wonder Gadot 20-1
6. Kelly’s Humor 30-1
7. Rayya 15-1
8. Heavenhasmynikki 15-1
9. Take Charge Paula 15-1
10. Midnight Bisou 5-2
11. My Miss Lilly 10-1
12. Patrona Margarita 30-1
13. Eskimo Kisses 15-1
14. Monomoy Girl 2-1

DERBY DAY, Saturday, May 5th

Race 1   10:30am

Race 2   11:01am

Race 3   11:31am

Race 4   12:03am

Race 5   12:35pm

Race 6   1:13pm

Race 7   1:55pm

Race 8   2:45pm

Race 9   3:37pm

Race 10  4:28pm

Race 11  5:25pm

Race 12  5:50pm - Kentucky Derby Race

Race 13  7:50pm

Race 14  8:20pm

KENTUCKY DERBY POST POSITIONS

1. Firenze Fire 50-1
2. Free Drop Bill 30-1
3. Promises Fulfilled 30-1
4. Flameaway 30-1
5. Audible 8-1
6. Good Magic12-1
7. Justify 3-1
8. Lone Sailor 50-1
9. Hofburg 20-1
10. My Boy Jack 30-1
11. Bolt d’Oro 8-1
12. Enticed 30-1
13. Bravazo 50-1
14. Mendelssohn 5-1
15. Instilled Regard 50-1
16. Magmun Moon 6-1
17. Solomini 30-1
18. Vino Rosso12-1
19. Noble Indy 30-1
20. Combatant 50-1

KENTUCKY DERBY FUN FACTS

• Horses must be 3 years or younger to compete. 
• Kentucky Derby brings in an estimated $400 million for the local economy.
• The Kentucky Derby trophy only weighs 3 and ½ lbs.
• The youngest Jockey winner was 15 years old and the oldest to race, Bill Shoemaker was 54 (who has now raced 26 Kentucky Derby horses).
• The Kentucky Derby was first run May 17th, 1875 and was started by Meriwether Lewis Clark, the grandson of William Clark of the exploring duo, Lewis and Clark who have deep roots in the history of our state.
• The term Run for the Roses was derived from the garland of roses that is draped over the winning horse in the Winners Circle. The blanket of roses is sewn together publicly at our very own Middletown Kroger using over 400 red roses. It weighs over 40lbs 
• Calumet Farms located in Lexington has produced the most ever, 8 total, Kentucky Derby winning horses. 
• Only 3 fillies have ever won the Kentucky Derby

TIPS ON NAVIGATING THE TRACK ON DERBY DAY

What to Wear: Anything pastel or seersucker. A tie or a bow tie for the Gentlemen. Fascinators or hats for the Ladies- the bigger the better. There is no such thing as too gaudy or glam, you can be as jazzy as you want to be and someone else will still outdo you.

In your clutch: Lipstick, spending money, a poncho for a rainy forecast, and an emergency pair of flats, and don’t forget the tickets!

In case of inclement weather: A clear poncho or rain jacket to show off that outfit.

Transportation: Uber and Lyft will cost you this week, make sure to budget for that if that should be your preferred method of transportation. I would recommend putting those flats in your clutch to use. Grab a ride to the track and ask to be dropped off a few blocks away to avoid the messy traffic. If you do decide to drive see the parking information noted below.

Parking Information:

https://www.kentuckyderby.com/visit/visitor-info/new-parking

Enter Churchill through the Paddock, Clubhouse, or Infield Gates

Map of Churchill

1. Facility Map: https://www.kentuckyderby.com/uploads/wysiwyg/assets/uploads/2018-Maps_Derby-Week_Overall-Facility-Map_4.11.pdf

2. Floor Map: https://www.kentuckyderby.com/uploads/wysiwyg/assets/uploads/2018-Maps_Derby-Week_2D-Floor%20-Map_4.11.pdf

3. Seating Chart: https://www.kentuckyderby.com/uploads/wysiwyg/assets/uploads/2018-Maps_Derby-Week_3D-Seating-Chart_4.11.pdf

Derby Day Play by Play: The wagering windows open about 30 minutes prior to the first race and Mint Juleps can be purchased as soon as the gates open. You can watch the garland of roses be brought into the track around 9:45am and celebrities typically arrive at the red carpet between 12:00 and 12:30pm. If you are looking for an up close view of the horses, they remain in the paddock til approximately 20 minutes prior to their race. This year the National Anthem will be performed at approximately 5:08pm by Grammy Award winners, Pentatonix. The Kentucky Derby contenders will head from their barns into the paddock area around 6:06pm and the Jockeys will mount the horses and head into the track at 6:31pm. My Old Kentucky Home is expected to sound off at 6:32pm and the race is anticipated to begin at 6:46, lasting only an “exciting 2 minutes”. 

KENTUCKY DERBY LINGO

Across the Board - a wager on one horse to win, place, and show

Burgoo - a traditional stew served at the Derby, featuring beef, chicken, pork, and vegetables

Exacta - a wager in which the player attempts to pick the 1st and 2nd place horse

Front Runner - a horse driven to the front on or near the lead

Furlong - an eighth of a mile on the racetrack

Grandstand - general seating around the racetrack

Hand - the unit of measure for the height of a horse, one hand equals four inches

Infield - a spectator area inside the track at Churchill Downs offering general admission prices, but less optimal views of the race

Millionaires Row - two floors of premium and box seating at Churchill Downs

Paddock - the area of the racetrack where the horses are saddled before the race

Place - a wager on one horse to finish first or second in the race

Post - another designation for the starting gate

Purse - a total prize money that can be won in a race

Run for the Roses - a traditional nickname for the Kentucky Derby, attributed to the blanket of red roses given to the winner each year

Show - a wager on one horse to finish anywhere in the top 3 

Superfecta - a wager in which a person selects the order of the first 4 finishers in a race

Thoroughbred - a breed of horse with roots in 18th century England, bred solely for speed

Trifecta - a wager in which the player selects the first 3 horses in a race in the order they finish

Win - a wager on one horse to finish first

IT’S NOT A DERBY PARTY WITHOUT..

We’ve crafted the perfect menu for your Derby party to achieve the ultimate Derby Day experience, it doesn’t get any more Kentucky than this y’all!

Pimento Cheese Spread

Kentucky Benedictine Spread

Derby Pie 

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Burgoo

Hot Brown Sliders

Bourbon Marinated Pork Tenderloin

Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Chocolate Covered Cherries

Bourbon Balls

Mint Julep

Oaks Lily

OUR BETS

There are many factors to be considered when placing your bets this Derby and all throughout race season, a few common considerations are the odds, the horses record, the trainer or the jockey, the horses bloodline, and track conditions. The Withrow Group has done our homework and determined who our picks are to win the 144th Kentucky Derby.

Elissa Withrow - Free Drop Billy

Aaron Withrow - Promises Fulfilled

Chad Withrow - Good Magic

Heather Reeves - Noble Indy

Jackie Exum - Vino Rosso

Brittany Laderer - Magnum Moon 

We will be sure to keep you updated on who, if any of us win, and also what kinds of things you can do post Derby for those you craving the ultimate Kentucky experience. We are so lucky to call such a neat place home, especially this time of year! Meanwhile, enjoy some photos from brunch at the track this past Tuesday. We got up close and personal with some of this years Kentucky Derby contenders.