The Kentucky Derby is a yearly horse race held in Louisville, Kentucky. The first Kentucky Derby took place on May 5, 1875, and the tradition continues today. Although the Kentucky Derby is one of the 4 Horse Racing Classics along with the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, and the Prix Derouille, the popularity of eSports has lead to a decline in traditional sports betting in recent years.
Where to Bet
The Kentucky Derby is held annually at the Churchill Downs, a four-race track in Louisville, Kentucky. The track is most famous for hosting the prestigious Kentucky Derby, but it also offers a Grade 1 entertainment race called the Woods Stakes, which is held in September. The track also hosts the other classic races, including the Preakness Stakes in May and the Belmont Stakes in June. There are also a number of other races that take place throughout the year, some of which are restricted to local residents only. You can get all the info you need at the official Churchill Downs website – www.ChurchillDowns.com.
The Downs Betting Exclusivity
The Churchill Downs website also advertises a “Downs Betting Exclusivity” policy. This means that if you place a wager on a horse in one of the four named Kentucky Derby races at Churchill Downs and you’re a resident of Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, or Virginia, you’re going to be able to pay out your winnings as long as the horse you bet on eventually wins one of the four big races at that track.
If you’re not a Kentucky resident and want to bet on the Kentucky Derby, you can place bets at other tracks across the U.S, but you might not be able to win money back if the horse you bet on loses. While local residents can take advantage of the policy, non-residents should look for betting options that offer some sort of wagering exchange program so they can take advantage of the situation if they get into it.
The Bluegrass Region
One of the most beautiful regions in the U.S is located in Kentucky, and the state is famous for its blue skies, lush green grass, and its friendly residents. The region around Louisville is known as the Bluegrass Region, and it’s quite fitting that a sport as prestigious as the Kentucky Derby has its roots in this part of the country.
The region’s most famous town is Louisville, but it also boasts a college town called Lexington, a city that recently emerged from bankruptcy, and its surrounding suburbs. Its downtown alone is worth a visit, with its mix of historic buildings and modern skyscrapers. The rest of the area is filled with sprawling suburban communities and sprawling farms. You can get a taste of this picturesque region if you visit Louisville – www.LouisvilleKY.com – or take a stroll through the Fossil Arboretum – www.FossilArboretum.org.
Famous Local Products
Louisville is known as the city of pizza, beer, and whiskey, and this city alone is responsible for more than half of all the food, drink, and merchandise sold in the Derby Festival. What better way to celebrate this iconic American race than by taking a trip to Louisville and visiting the sites related to the festival and the races?
One of the must-sees in Louisville is the Louisville Polaris – www.louisvillepolaris.com – a.k.a. the Louisville Slugger. The stadium, the seating area, and the field where the games are played are all made out of slugger batting heads, and the entire structure is known as the Protean Bowl. You’ll also want to visit Foley Field – www.foleyfield.org – which is the former college football stadium that was turned into an arboretum in the 1950s. The field is now known as Cardinal Arbors and is filled with trees and shrubs from the get-go, so it might not be the best choice if you’re looking for a place to sit and watch the game.
The Kentucky Derby Museum
While you’re in Louisville, pop into the Kentucky Derby Museum – www.kentuckyderbymuseum.org – to learn about the history of the Kentucky Derby and the people who’ve been involved with the race for decades. You’ll find photos, posters, and other memorabilia from across the decades on display, along with interactive displays that allow you to choose the winning horse and enter its stats for that day’s race.
The Kentucky Derby Festival
The Kentucky Derby Festival – www.louisvilleky.com/festival – is held annually in Louisville and begins the last week of April. The event is known for its incredibly eclectic mix of bands, food trucks, craft beer, and whiskey, and you can catch the best of the region’s music, laughter, and excitement.
If you go to the festival in May, you’ll get to witness some of the most iconic sights and sounds of the Bluegrass Region alongside some of the greatest musicians in popular music. You’ll also be able to place some bets and see first-hand how the community comes together during this time of the year.
The Kentucky Aquarium
The Kentucky Aquarium – www.kyaquarium.com – is home to a whole bunch of ocean animals, including sharks, and you’ll be able to get up close and personal with them if you visit the aquarium during its open hours. You’re not going to get wet, but it’s still pretty cool to watch the animals in their natural habitat. Plus, it’s free!
If you’re not into going to the aquarium, you can also get a peek into its private viewing room, which is filled with exotic creatures from the ocean, via a virtual reality headset. This way, you can pretend that you’re right beside the animals when the lights go down and the music starts up.
The Louisville Zoo
The Louisville Zoo – www.louisvillezoo.org – is located just outside the city and is one of the largest and most prominent zoological gardens in the U.S. The zoo is filled with over 300 species of animals from around the world, including endangered creatures, and it’s become a hub for conservation efforts. You’ll be able to see many of these animals in their natural habitat, as well as other animals that live in the zoo itself, including primates, bison, and camels. The highlight of the zoo is definitely the Panthera Conservatory, a.k.a. the Louisville Cobra – www.louisvillezoo.org/panthera-conservatory. The space is an incredible feat of engineering, designed to protect and sustain the largest number of snakes in captivity. The building is about 30 feet high and 100 feet long, and it’s filled with coils of snake habitat. Seeing these beautiful animals as you’ve never seen them before is guaranteed to make your heart swell.
The Louisville Slugger Museum
While you’re in Louisville, it’s worth a trip to the Louisville Slugger Museum – www.sluggermuseum.org – to relive the history of this city’s most famous export. The museum houses a complete collection of slugger bats and balls, along with other sporting goods that were used by the legendary Bobby McFerrin and others in the past. There are also interactive displays that allow you to choose the winning team and enter its stats for that day’s game.