Cross Mint

Kentucky Derby 2009

The countdown to the 2009 Kentucky Derby has begun. Since 1875, this celebrated race has captured the hearts of horse racing fans. Filled with excitement and anticipation, crowds will flood into Churchill Downs on May 2, 2009 for the 135th Kentucky Derby.

There are many things that make the Derby the Derby including: the long history, the traditions, the hats, and the garland of roses. Together, the Kentucky Derby adds up to the premier North American horse racing event.

The Kentucky Derby is limited to three-year-old horses. These contenders will vie for the chance to win the $2 million prize. Because the competition for admission is stiff and because the fees are high (according to one source, the least you could spend on fees to have a horse run in the Kentucky Derby would be over $50,000), horse owners want to be confident they have a horse with a good chance of winning. Between now and Derby-day, a number of races will help determine which horses are likely to be contenders for the 2009 Kentucky Derby.

For people with the opportunity to visit the Derby, Case the Race provides tips on travel, tickets, betting and choosing a hat. The site is updated weekly to keep it current. For regular updates on a variety of Kentucky Derby topics, go to http://www.casetherace.com/kentuckyderby/index.html.

History

Most people know that the track that hosts the Kentucky Derby is Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Few people know that Churchill Downs was originally called the Louisville Jockey Club. The track officially opened in 1875 and has been running the Derby and the Oaks every year since. Attendance is expected to reach around 150,000 fans in 2009.

In Fall 1894 and Spring 1895, a new grandstand costing $100,000 was built for the Derby. The new grandstand had two spires. Over time, the spires became known as the Twin Spires and have become an iconic symbol of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.

The racetrack and the Kentucky Derby might not have become all they have become had it not been for Matt Winn, who took the reins in 1902. Because of his drive and business savvy, Churchill Downs experienced a revival.

Kentucky Derby Traditions

There are several traditions associated with the Kentucky Derby. Some of the best known traditions are the garland of roses, drinking mint juleps on Derby-day, collecting Kentucky Derby glasses, and collecting silver julep cups.

Garland of roses

The first published account of roses draped on horses appeared in 1896. Since 1987, floral designers from Kroger grocery chain have produced the garland of roses which is 90 inches long by 14 inches wide and weighs about 35 lbs.

Mint Julep

The official drink of the Kentucky Derby, the mint julep has delighted horse racing fans for over 100 years.

There are variations, but most recipes include fresh mint sprigs, bourbon whiskey, powdered sugar and water.

Kentucky Derby glasses

It was not the racetrack’s intention to provide glasses as keepsakes the year the tradition started. In 1938, the glasses were intended only as mint julep glasses. Because of their popularity, many glasses were not returned. The following year, the track gave into the inevitable. They added twenty-five cents to the cost of the drinks and let customers keep the glasses. In almost every year since 1949, all previous Derby winners have been listed on the glasses.

Sterling silver julep cups

First introduced in 1951, the sterling silver julep cup was intended as an official, useful souvenir of the Kentucky Derby. Traditionally, the governor of Kentucky uses the cup to toast the winner. The cup is then added to a complete set the track has.

Kentucky Derby Style

For some, the Kentucky Derby is just a thinly-veiled excuse to wear a really great hat. According to Carol Bader, the owner and creator of Del Mar Hat Company, the 2009 trend is for colorful hats. Her full article is available at http://www.casetherace.com/kentuckyderby/derbystyle.html.

Betting on the Derby

Horse racing handicappers will be focusing on the betting prospects of the Kentucky Derby. According to Paul Lambrakis, author of The 10-Cent Superfecta, “I try not to get caught up in the hype of any one horse or attached to any one horse [before the Derby]. I’ll look at past performances and the whole field of horses when the time comes and try to handicap it just like I would any other race.” Others, like Frank Di Tondo , the author of One Minute Handicapper, are monitoring a number of regional competitions to see which horses look to have the best prospects. Case the Race provides weekly updates on the horses and tips from handicappers. Get advice from handicappers here http://www.casetherace.com/kentuckyderby/handicappers.html

Travel to the Derby

The Kentucky Derby tends to stretch the full capacity of Louisville’s accommodations. Finding a hotel room during the Kentucky Derby can be a challenge, especially for those planning late or working with a limited budget. While the first stop may be to check the usual travel sites, if these are not providing enough options, consider other possibilities such as B & Bs or vacation rentals. The Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau provides a search tool to explore a variety of accommodations and locations.

http://www.gotolouisville.com/accommodations-search.aspx If you are traveling with a group, vacation rentals might be an option. The site RentMyHouseforDerby.com specializes in providing luxury vacation rental homes for events like the Kentucky Derby.

The Derby festivities begin as early as April 2nd and extend all the way up to Derby Day. Between 4/23 -5/2 the Kentucky Derby Festival has 32 events scheduled. Learn more about the events at the Kentucky Derby Festival site. http://www.kdf.org/search.cgi?category=events

The Countdown for the 2009 Kentucky Derby

In the end, it will come down to two minutes. It will be two minutes of white-knuckle suspense, two minutes of sweaty palms clenched around betting tickets, two minutes for dreams to be either realized or dashed, two minutes from the sound of the bell to the moment the winner crosses the finish line amidst a cheering crowd. Spectators will come from all over and from all walks of life, but for those two minutes, they will be united by the same question: Which horse will win?

About the Author

The author is part of a team that produces data and articles for a horse racing website, Case the Race. More information on the Kentucky Derby is available at
http://www.casetherace.com/kentuckyderby/index.html
.

DamnVid Video Downloader & Converter – Linux Mint 8

STAMP PICKERS – RARE NEW BRUINSWICK JOHNSON & JOHNSON RED CROSS 1898 STAMP MINT $0.01

NEW Cross Shaped Picture Golden Cigarette Lighter MINT $0.01

HOWARD CROSS (NEW YORK GIANTS-TE) 1992 TOPPS ROOKIE card #233 MINT $0.09

JEFF CROSS (MIAMI-DE) 1990 SCORE ROOKIE CARD #213 MINT $0.09

New Zealand #B56, SG775 1959 Red Cross MINT $0.15

1952 International Red Cross 3 cents US Postage Stamp Scott #1016 MINT $0.25

1) JAPAN 1921 / 1939 MINT + MNH SELECTION 5 YEN RED CROSS FOLDED !! $0.50

YUGIOH CARD – CROSS-SWORD BEETLE – CRMS-EN035 – MINT $0.69

US 1931 -RED CROSS – Mint NH OG $0.69

[MON-0767] MONACO 1970 767 Issued for the Red Cross Mint NH $0.80

[MON-0721] MONACO 1969 721 Issued for the Red Cross Mint NH $0.80

[MON-0682] MONACO 1968 682 Red Cross of Monaco, 20th anniversary Mint NH $0.80

AFGHANISTAN ~ Red Cross ~ 2 Beautiful Mint Never Hinged Overprint Sheets $0.95

FALKLAND ISLANDS ~ #147 – 148 Very Nice Mint light hinged Set ~ RED CROSS $0.95

[MON-0905] MONACO 1974 905 Issued for the Red Cross Mint NH $0.99

[MON-0830] MONACO 1972 830 Issued for the Red Cross Mint NH $0.99

Malta 1961 XIX Anniversary of The George Cross Award Mint LH SC284/286 $0.99

VINTAGE ROMA CATHOLIC CRUCIFIX CROSS/UNIQUE DESIGN/UNOPENED/MINT CONDITION/SWEET $0.99

Vintage Unopened Box Johnson & Johnson RED CROSS COTTON Display LRG Size MINT $0.99

CYPRUS #439-41 MINT NEVER HINGED RED CROSS, INTL. NURSES’ DAY & IWY $0.98

1931 MINT RED CROSS ISSUE SCOTT 702 FACE VALUE 2c BOOK VALUE 35c N/H O/G $0.99

YUGIOH CARD: Mint 1st Common – Photon Shockwave: CROSS ATTACK $0.99

5344 YOUGOSLAVIA MINT NH 1950 SC RAJ5 RED CROSS BLOCK $0.99

HEARTS & CROSSES———-PLASTIC CANVAS PATTERN $0.99

RARE VINYL ALBUM – JIM REEVES – DON’T LET ME CROSS OVER – MINT CONDITION RECORD $0.99

L5R Cross Clan Wedding X 1 Unique ~ EE Emperor Edition Mint $0.99

Estonia old red cross set mint with overprint $0.99

ARCADIUS. AE2. CONSTANTINOPLE MINT (CONSr). TWO CROSSES IN REVERSE. VERY SCARCE. $0.99

American Red Cross Centennial, 1 1/2″ Sealed U.S. Mint Medal # 673, 1979 $0.99

1984 Topps Cal Ripken Jr #490 BVG 9 (MINT) PSA Cross ?? With 9.5 ’s $0.99

1983 Donruss Tom Seaver #122 BVG 9 (MINT) PSA Cross ?? With 9.5 ’s $0.99

1983 Donruss Reggie Jackson #115 BVG 9 (MINT) PSA Cross ?? With 9.5 ’s $0.99

1983 Donruss Mike Schmidt #168 BVG 9 (MINT) PSA Cross ?? With 9.5 ’s $0.99

1983 Donruss Andrew Dawson #518 BVG 9 (MINT) PSA Cross ?? With 9.5 ’s $0.99

Yugioh Photon Shockwave 1st Ed Common Card (A-La) Mint! (Choose from the List) $0.99

Yugioh Photon Shockwave 1st Ed Common Card (A-La) Mint! (Choose from the List) $0.99

4918 AUSTRALIA MINT NH SC 288-89 1956 SOUTHERN CROSS $0.99

The Grand – DVD – Woody Harrelson, David Cross – MINT $0.99

VINTAGE GREEN EMERALD STONE 10K 10KT WHITE GOLD BAITH CROSS NECKLACE 18 ¼” MINT $0.99

Lot of 8 Mint LH Sets Stamps 1930s Finland Red Cross Issues $0.99

France B404-7 1967 Surtax for the Red Cross Mint $0.99

France B452-3 1971 Surtax for Red Cross Mint $0.99

France B14 1922 Surtax for the Red Cross Mint $0.99

1981 18c American Red Cross Scott 1910 Mint F/VF NH $0.99

Yugioh Flaming Eternity UTR SR Rare Card Pack Fresh Mint! (Choose from the List) $0.99

Scott #1239 – Plate Block of 4 – Very Fine – Mint N H – Red Cross $0.99

1952 3c Int’l Red Cross Scott 1016 Mint F/VF NH $0.99

yugioh cross attack 1st ed common mint phsw-en048 x3 $0.99

1963 5c International Red Cross 100th Scott 1239 Mint F/VF NH $0.99

10KT YELLOW GOLD CROSS 1.7 GRAMS MINT NEW $1.00

NICARAGUA – 1975 – STATIONS OF THE CROSS – MINT – BLOCK OF 4! $1.00

Greece 764-7 mint LH – 1963 Red Cross set $1.00

YUGOSLAVIA – 1968 – RED CROSS – HONEYCOMB – MINT! $1.00

MALTA – 1972 – COIN – MALTESE CROSS – MINT! $1.00

MALI – 1965 – RED CROSS – MOBILE X-RAY – LUNGS – MINT! $1.00

50 Favors – Blue Cross Design Mint or Jelly-Bean Tins $1.00

YUGIOH Cross Attack – PHSW-JP048 Japanese Mint x 3 $1.00

YUGIOH Cross-Sword Beetle – Common – CRMS-EN035 (Unlimited) x 3 Mint $1.00

YUGIOH Cross-Sword Beetle – Common – CRMS-EN035 (1st Edition) x 3 Mint $1.00

ISRAEL – 1955 – RED CROSS – AMBULANCE – MINT – SINGLE! $1.00

YUGOSLAVIA – 1947- RED CROSS – RUINS – MINT – SINGLE! $1.00

YUGOSLAVIA -1974 – RED CROSS – HEART – MINT – SINGLE! $1.00

U S -1952 – RED CROSS – SC#1016 – MINT – SINGLE! $1.00

YUGOSLAVIA MINT RA41 1091 1092 RED CROSS MAP SPORT $1.00

3X YUGIOH 1ST ED Cross-Sword Beetle CRMS-EN035 MINT! $1.00

15312 AUSTRALIA MINT NH 1963 RED CROSS LIGHT 1v see 1000 Australia lots $1.00

DAHOMEY – 1962 – RED CROSS – NURSE – MAP – MINT SINGLE! $1.00

YUGOSLAVIA – 1951 – RED CROSS – RAISING FLAG – MINT! $1.00

YUGOSLAVIA -1966 – RED CROSS – ARROWS – MINT – SINGLE! $1.00

YUGOSLAVIA – 1950 – RED CROSS – NURSE – MAP – 2X MINT! $1.00

Yugioh GX / Cross Counter DR3-EN169 / Mint $1.00

3 x Cross-Sword Beetle CRMS-EN035 Common Unlimited Near Mint $1.00

4918 AUSTRALIA MINT NH SC 288-89 1956 SOUTHERN CROSS $1.00

CAMBODIA -1971- CHILDREN – RED CROSS – MINT – SET OF 3! $1.00

TURKEY – 1954 – RED CRESCENT – RED CROSS – FLAG – MINT! $1.00

THAILAND – 1997 – THAI RED CROSS – RAJAKARUN – MINT! $1.00

CROSS James Patterson HCDJ 2006 1st 1st MINT $1.00

Greece (Occupied Turkey)–#N154 Mint Hinged–Cross of Constantine $1.00

MALTA -1967- GEORGE CROSS – 25th ANNIVERSARY – MINT SET $1.00

GRENADA -1970- RED CROSS – CENTENARY – NURSING – MINT SINGLE! $1.00

AUSTRIA # 710 Mint INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS $1.00

BRAZIL MINT 956 961 RED CROSS SPORT $1.00

US 1016 Mint NH VF 3 Cent “International Red Cross” $1.00

NICARAGUA – 1960 – LINCOLN – RED CROSS – CHILE – MINT! $1.00

YUGOSLAVIA # RAJ25 Mint RED CROSS CENTENARY $1.00

YUGOSLAVIA -1970 – RED CROSS – FLOWER – MINT – SINGLE! $1.00

NIGER – 1962 – NATIVE CRAFT – CROSS – DIAMOND – MINT! $1.00

YUGIOH Cross Attack – PHSW-EN048 x 3 Mint 1st Edition $1.00

YUGIOH Cross Porter – Common – LODT-EN002 (1st Edition) x 3 Mint $1.00

3 x Cross Attack Near Mint Photon Shockwave $1.00

Yugioh Phantom Beast Cross-Wing GLD2-EN011 x3 / Mint $1.00

THAILAND MINT B45 46 1973 RED CROSS SHIP $1.00

BELGIUM MINT B53 55 GUM FAULTS RED CROSS NURSE MEDICINE $1.00

3 x Cross Porter LODT-EN002 Common Unl. Near Mint $1.00

3 x Cross Porter LODT-EN002 Common 1st Ed. Near Mint $1.00

MALTA – 1953/57 – MALTESE CROSS – POSTAGE DUE – MINT! $1.00

MALTA – 1953/57 – MALTESE CROSS – POSTAGE DUE – MINT! $1.00

CYPRUS 1980 EUROPA – HOLY CROSS – ZENON OF CITIUM MINT! $1.00

U S – 1963 – RED CROSS – FLAG – SC#1239 – MINT SINGLE! $1.00

RUSSIA -1973- RED CROSS – THEATER – YOUTH – MINT SET! $1.00

Ciborium with Cross Top $96.23 Our Matte Finish Ciborium with Cross Cover was exclusively designed and manufactured using only high quality materials. Each piece is crafted of lead-free, 100% food safe brass and then gold plated to meet our high quality standards. The matte finish is fingerprint-resistant for years of carefree use. It is truly an exquisite set at an unbeatable value. You will not find a lower price anywhere els…

Boardman Pewter Chalice with Cross – 6 1/4 in. This Boardman Pewter Chalice with Cross is 6 1/4 in. tall and holds 9 oz….

Confirmed in Christ – 5 Pewter Cross (JC-9470) 5 pewter cross has image of dove in center, Confirmed in Christ at top. Gift boxed….

Jason’s Lyric $5.23 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….

Official Grammy Awards Record of The Year Box Set of 4 Burgandy Albums Complete Franklin Mint Record Set including 4 burgandy albums, booklet of pictures and biographies of the artists, Original Franklin Mint Letter, Original Square Box. Each selection has been nominated for the highest honor in the recording industry…The Grammy Award for Record of the Year. Each of the 48 selections presented has stood the test of time and has been chosen especially for this Archi…

The Greatest Country Music Recordings of All Time – Hits of the 1930s and 1940s (LPS) TWO burgandy LPs in attractive creme-colored sleeve; 8-page LPsize booklet with photos and extensive info on performers and music. Nice blue box cover hold the 2-album set. Historic music!…

GoldenEye (Special Edition) $9.86 Pierce Brosnan assumed the role of James Bond for the first time in this 17th entry in the series. Brosnan looks a little light on the big screen under any circumstances, and he does take some getting used to as 007. But this busy film keeps him hopping as freelance terrorists from the former Soviet Union get their hands on super-high-tech weapons. The film’s challenge is to bring free-spirited Bo…

Crosse & Blackwell, Sauce Mint, 5-Ounce (6 Pack) $16.99 A classic sauce for lamb mingles the flavors of pure Egyptian mint leaves and malt vinegar. It also offers a new dimension for hearty meats such as ham or pork. case pack 6/5oz bottles…

Chef Tom Douglas Rub with Love Seafood Rub 3-pack $22.88 Tom Douglas “Rub with Love” Seafood Rub is a fragrant, mild curry that is delicious on seafood such as scallops, white fish, lobster or shrimp. It’s also a wonderful complement to chicken or roasted vegetables. Tom and his wife Jackie own 5 of Seattle’s most remarkable restaurants: Dahlia Lounge, Etta’s, Palace Kitchen, Lola and Serious Pie. Our restaurants have also inspired a product line. Rub w…

Party Sweets By Hospitality Mints Blue Cross Buttermints, 7-Ounce Bags (Pack of 6) $9.95 Party Sweets By Hospitality Mints Blue Cross Buttermints comes in a 7 ounce bag. The perfect gift for party, gift, Balloon and specialty stores. It provides Delicious Buttermint Creams packaged in festive wrappers. Hospitality Mints produce four million hard and soft candies a day in over 20 taste-tempting varieties….