From horses, to drinks and dresses, Kentucky Derby dazzles for 149th year
The Kentucky Jury is one of the most beloved sporting traditions in the world and the 149th run for the roses is tomorrow. Local 12's Cassie Arsenault is at Churchill Downs in Louisville with a look at what makes the Bluegrass State signature event so special. The unpredictability is a huge part of the appeal and no race bears any similarity to the last. I think most people know that these three year old thoroughbreds will only compete in the Kentucky Derby once in a lifetime. So add in that thrill and mix it with tradition and that's what makes the Kentucky Derby unforgettable. Come tomorrow a field of the most talented three year old thoroughbreds will do some things they've never done before. None of them have ever raced a mile and a quarter.
None have raced in front of 155,000 people and none of them have raced in a 20 horse field and the unknowns contribute to this fact. It's any horse's race. This like I said Forte is a legitimate horse. It's probably the best horse in the field but the best horse in the field doesn't always win the Derby because there's so many different ways that you can get beat in the Derby. Forte likes to come from behind and there's not much speed in this year's race so without pace it's hard to say what will happen. The run of the roses is the main event but people come for the spectacle of it all. We love the drinks and the festivities and all the things.
Let's start with the drinks. I've learned everyone has a coveted cocktail for the race. I would say the lily. I love it. Okay what is in the lily? Tracy what's in the lily? Tracy how about that? Vodka. Vodka is my favorite. Mine is the lily.
Okay. Mine is a spire. Oh what's an a spire? Woodford to reserve. Lemonade. Lemonade. I think a little bit of grenadine. Sweet and sour.
What is it? Sweet and sour. Sweet and sour. Okay awesome. Pretty good. I mean bourbon obviously. But the Kentucky Derby is also a fashion show and the hats are the main event but everyone brings their own flair. You don't know who is going to be here and that's the whole where the spectacle comes into it is people want to be seen at places like this.
People want to get as dressed up as they possibly can. Who are you all wearing today? Okay so you picked the colors or how this partnership works? Yes. And I had to come up with. I had to come up with how to get it. So how do you feel about your outfit? I love it. I love it. It's really, I've already gotten a couple compliments on it.
You look like a million bucks. Well thank you. The horses, the party, the fashion, no matter why people show up, cheers to the 149th Kentucky Derby and down the stretch they come. People tell me that the only thing that really makes or breaks this event is the weather so long as the rain holds out it's going to be a great day. Reporting at Churchill Downs, I'm Cassie Arsenal, Local 12 News.
WKRC, WKRC Local 12, Cincinnati, Ohio