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Off to the races: How to make your Derby Day a winner Comment By Lauren Frame and Michael Banks Gaston Gazette staff MailTribune.com By Lauren Frame and Michael Banks Gaston Gazette staff Posted Apr. 30, 2015 at 9:23 AM By Lauren Frame and Michael Banks Gaston Gazette staff Posted Apr. 30, 2015 at 9:23 AM » Social News The first Saturday of each May, the sporting world turns its attention to a century-old race track beneath twin spires, pocketed in a working-class neighborhood in southern Louisville, Ky. On this day, Churchill Downs is the center of the racing and entertainment world. In the approximate two minutes it takes 20 3-year-old thoroughbreds to run a mile and a quarter over the dirt surface, fame is gained, and fame is lost. Fortunes are made. Fortunes are lost. Memories are made. And for many of the 100,000 in the sun-baked, alcohol-soaked infield, memories are lost. It’s Kentucky Derby Day. And this Saturday marks the 141st running of the first stanza of horse racing’s Triple Crown. And why not turn to two Kentucky transplants on the staff of The Gaston Gazette for their take on how to make your Derby Day a success? PLACE YOUR BETS Places your bets online at TwinSpires.com . For those looking to take a smaller risk at your own shindig, write each Derby contender’s name on a piece of paper. Have each guest pony up a buck to draw a name. Root for your horse as though it can hear you, since the winner takes all the cash. MIKE’S TIP: Don’t bet the favorite. In the last 35 years, favorites have come out on top just six times. While last year’s winner, California Chrome, bucked the tradition, the backstretch at Churchill is littered with the names of sure-thing winners who finished well back. SING IT WITH PRIDE Print out the lyrics to “My Old Kentucky Home” so everyone can sing along like it’s the national anthem. MIKE SAYS: It’s been 15 years since I traded Kentucky bluegrass for Carolina red clay, yet I still get teary-eyed upon hearing, “Oh, weep no more, my lady.” I know, I’m a softie. ALL FUN AND GAMES Play horseshoes or cornhole. Let the kids have stick-horse races. But if you are heading north to attend the race, leave the selfie stick at home. They won’t let you take it through the gates. Leave the grills, fireworks and remote-controlled aircraft at home, too. MIKE ADDS: Those manning the infield gates also don’t look too kindly upon the false-bottom cart filled with two cases of beer that your buddy spent the entire week leading up to Derby constructing in his garage. Lesson learned. WHEN IN ROME … No Derby party is complete unless mint juleps are being served. And, please, don’t you dare use Tennessee whiskey. The Woodford Reserve mint julep classic Ingredients: 2 oz. Woodford Reserve 1 oz. water 1 tsp. sugar 4 sprigs fresh mint Muddle three sprigs of mint, sugar and water in the bottom of a julep cup or highball glass. Fill glass with crushed ice. Add Woodford Reserve and stir. Dust fourth mint sprig with powdered sugar for garnish. MIKE’S TIP: Crushed ice is the key here. And while I do quite enjoy sipping Kentucky bourbon, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m no fan of the mint julep. Want a truly outstanding Derby Day alternative? Try the Oaks Lilly and cheer on your favorite filly. The Grey Goose Oaks Lilly Ingredients: 1 ¼ oz. Grey Goose vodka 1 oz. Sweet and Sour Mix ¼ oz. Triple Sec 3 oz. cranberry juice Once the ingredients are mixed, place the pinkish cocktail in a stemless wine glass with crushed ice, add a straw and garnish with a blackberry and lemon wedge. FASHION Stay classy. The idea is to look like a celeb, whether you make minimum wage or 300K a year. Break out the brights. Bold prints, bold colors. Seersucker suits bring out the old Southern gentleman in everyone. Hats. Make your own Derby hats with anything you have around the house (or yard). The bigger the better. LAUREN’S TIP: Flowers, real or fake, are a must, but creativity is always welcome. It’s like having your own crown for a day. WHAT TO WATCH FOR Celebrities. They’ll all be there. MIKE SAYS: I’ve seen actor James Earl Jones and brushed up against Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. But perhaps my favorite fan sighting was Kato Kaelin at the 1995 Kentucky Derby, just weeks after he testified in the trial of the century. We Kentuckians, we do love our B-list celebrities. Fashion. Gorgeous or outrageous, nothing is off limits at the Derby. NAMES TO DROP California Chrome — Last year’s Kentucky Derby winner. Aristides — The first Kentucky Derby winner (1875). Secretariat — Holds the record for the fastest finish at 1 minute 59 2/5 seconds in 1973. Calvin Borel — Three-time Derby winning jockey who is known around the Churchill paddock as “Bo-Rail” for the Cajun’s aptitude in guiding winners along the tight rail lining the track. THE SECRET Those of us not attending the race are in good company. LAUREN SAYS: According to a friend and Louisville native, locals don’t go to the Derby. They hold house parties Saturday and head to the races Friday instead for the Kentucky Oaks race. Locally, it’s known as Oaks Day. It honors breast cancer survivors and everyone wears pink. He says it has long been known as “Louisville’s day at the track.” Michael Banks, the production editor at The Gaston Gazette, was bred and schooled in Kentucky, much like one of his favorite horses, Real Quiet, the 1998 Kentucky Derby champ. His first Derby? He cashed a big ticket as Go For Gin won in the slop in the 120th running of the 1994 Derby. A few winners and numerous losers later, he still gets giddy the first week of May. Lauren Frame, Gaston Gazette copy editor and page designer, was born and raised in the Bluegrass State and spent four years at the University of Kentucky. Despite that, she has never been to the Kentucky Derby. Nor has she watched one on TV. But she assures us she knows people who have. She also doesn’t see what the big deal is about basketball. By Lauren Frame and Michael Banks Gaston Gazette staff MailTribune.com By Lauren Frame and Michael Banks Gaston Gazette staff Posted Apr. 30, 2015 at 9:23 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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