This Saturday (May 7), approximately 150,000 people will crowd into Louisville, Kentucky’s Churchill Downs for the 137th annual Kentucky Derby. Here are a few facts about this popular and prestigious race as well as the current Derby odds.

One of America’s oldest Thoroughbred horse races, The Kentucky Derby is held each year on the first Saturday of May. Clutching mint juleps and wearing big, elaborate hats, thousands of revelers attend the brief one and a quarter mile race known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”

The Kentucky Derby is steeped in tradition. The Mint Julep, an alcoholic beverage consisting of bourbon, mint, and sugar syrup, is the official drink of the big race with most attendees sipping the refreshing beverage from a souvenir glass listing all of the Derby’s previous winners. Burgoo, a thick stew made with beef, chicken, or pork, and the Hot Brown, French toast topped with turkey, bacon, tomato, and cheese gravy, are two popular race day dishes. Many women also wear large, elaborate hats to the big event and the winner of the Derby receives a blanket of 554 lush red roses (below). For this reason, fans frequently refer to the race as “The Run for the Roses.”

The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, while the Preakness Stakes is the second and the Belmont Stakes is the third. A horse must win all three races to win the coveted Triple Crown, a feat only eleven horses have accomplishes since 1978.

Check out the current odds for the 137th annual Kentucky Derby as listed by kentuckyderby.info. Which horse do you think will take home the blanket of roses?

1. Uncle Mo 5/2
2. Dialed In 4/1
3. Nehro 8/1
4. Soldat 10/1
5. Archarcharch 10/1
6. Mucho Macho Man 12/1
7. Shackleford 14/1
8. Pants On Fire 15/1
9. Midnight Interlude 15/1
10. Twice The Appeal 17/1
11. Stay Thirsty 20/1
12. Sway Away 20/1
13. Brilliant Speed 25/1
14. Master of Hounds 25/1
15. Animal Kingdom 28/1
16. Santiva 30/1
17. Decisive Moment 30/1
18. Watch Me Go 35/1
19. Derby Kitten 35/1
20. Comma to the Top 35/1
21. Twinspired 35/1

Tags: the kentucky derby, kentucky derby
Categories: Sports