Churchill Downs Tag

It seems like just last week we were anxiously waiting for the Belmont Stakes in hopes that I'll Have Another could complete the first Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978.  As fate would have it the Triple Crown was not meant to be and I'll Have Another was pulled from the race with an injury.  Now we embark on a new journey.  Tomorrow will mark the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY.  Louisville has already had the pleasure of crowning a national champion in college basketballand just 1 month later the city finds itself amidst intense excitement once again.

The Kentucky Derby has long been one of the most exciting events in sports and this year will be no different.  The field appears to be wide open with a the usual group favorites.  I have provided our readers with odds and post position for each of the Derby contestants.

Louisville, KY has been the home to the premiere North-American horse race for well over a century and the tradition continues in 2013.  This year the Kentucky Derby will be held on Saturday, May 4th.  It is also important to note that the Kentucky Oaks will take place on Friday, May 3 as a precursor to the Kentucky Derby.  Doesn't it seem hard to believe that we are just a few months away from the running of the first leg of the horse racing triple crown?

There will much anticipation for the 2013 edition of the Kentucky Derby after the run by I'll Have Another in 2012.  I'll Have Another swept through the first 2 legs of the triple crown but had to pull out of the Belmont Stakes at the last minute.  It seemed hard to think that we wouldn't have a triple crown in 2012 but fate directed us down another path.  Our desires for a triple crown winner were teased to the point of aggravation.  I can't speak for everyone but I know myself and others close to me were very disappointed in the busted triple crown opportunity.  I know that year to year the Derby and the triple crown races share no common thread but I can't help but get excited for another prospective year for the triple crown.  It would seem only fitting after Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Carbera won baseball's triple crown for the first time since 1967.

Earlier this year the horse racing world missed out an opportunity for a Triple Crown winner in a most unfortunate manner.  The outcome was clearly the best and healthiest choice for the horse but no one likes to see a chance at history hindered by an injury.  The run for the Triple Crown might be over but there is still exciting racing left in 2012.

In just a couple of months the 29th annual running of the Breeders Cup will get underway on November 2nd.  The Breeders Cup is currently and has historically been the richest North American horse race.  Last year the total amount of winnings came to 25.5 million and that has been the total purse since the additions of 3 races in 2008.

I'll Have Another put on another spectacular display this past weekend at the Preakness Stakes and now the horse has a chance to reach horse racing immortality.  I'll Have Another must have watched a replay of his Derby win right before the race because the final stretch was a reenactment of the horse's victory at Churchill Downs.  Beating out Bodemeister in just the last few strides.

With less than one month before the 2012 Kentucky Derby, I answered the phone at Sports Traveler last week to hear this on the other line:

“Um, I’m attending the Kentucky Derby with your company and um… I have a silly question… What should I wear? I mean, I need a hat, but I don’t know where to begin to figure this out. No stores sell hats like that around here. Can you help me!?!”

Oh sister, I hear you. I live in Chicago and the only hats that they sell here seem to be stocking hats for winter!

When I went to my first Derby I was so excited - that was until I started worrying about what I was going to wear. The panic first started when I viewed this website: http://www.kentuckyderby.com/party/style/red-carpet

Well March is already on the way out and with April only a few days away Sports Traveler is gearing up the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby.  The Kentucky Derby is clearly a major sporting event in this country and has historically been one of the more culturally important events whether sport or otherwise.

Despite the event's cultural and historical importance, there are still a lot of people out there that don't care to know much about the Kentucky Derby.  Many of these people just think horse racing is outdated and have little to no interest in who wins the Kentucky Derby.  I think that some of the gap in interest can be blamed on a lack of identity.

Last weekend the historic home of the Kentucky Derby hosted another exciting year for the Breeders' Cup.  The 2011 Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs marks the end of a two year run at the Kentucky race track.  Patrons of Churchill Downs have had the opportunity to be a spectator at two of the 4 majors horse races for the last 2 years.  Next year the high stakes event will move to Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California for the sixth time.

Over the last 10 years, we have witnessed many astonishing feats in the sports world.  Roger Federer won 16 Grand Slam Finals (and still counting) to surpass Pete Sampras for most in history, 6 no-hitters thrown during one season, Michael Phelps winning 8 gold medals in Beijing, and Brett Favre retiring 957 times.

However, during this time, we have not witnessed the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.  Actually, this feat last occurred back in 1978 when Affirmed won all three races. 

Over 164,000 people were at Churchill Downs on Saturday to see Animal Kingdom rally to win the 2011 Kentucky Derby. This was the largest crowd ever to see the Kentucky Derby.

2012 Kentucky Derby Tickets are Now Available!

2012 Kentucky Derby Tickets are available at all areas of Churchill Downs. Choose from seats in the first, second, or third floor grandstand or clubhouse. Options are also available for Millionaire's Row, Sky Terrace, Gold Room, Interior Premium, and Turf Club.

All tickets can be purchased securely online or by calling our office. All orders are 100% guaranteed.

View 2012 Kentucky Derby Tickets

The 138th Running of the Kentucky Derby will take place on May 5, 2012. There is no other event in the world that offers more exciting moments than the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

2012 Kentucky Derby Packages are Now Available with Low Deposits!

2012 Kentucky Derby Packages are available for first time guests and experienced attendees. Enjoy the Derby with these great inclusions:

- Hotel accommodations in the Louisville area
- Guaranteed Tickets to the 2012 Kentucky Derby
- Transportation to Churchill Downs on race day
- Selected Meals
- Options on Kentucky Oaks Tickets, Welcome Receptions, & Ticket Upgrades

Sports Traveler is also offering Horse Farm Tours to the 2012 Kentucky Derby. These packages provide you with a behind the scenes look at various horse farms in the Lexington area during the week of Derby.

Kentucky Derby Horse Farm Tour Packages offer many great amenities including:

- Deluxe Accommodations in the Lexington area
- Guaranteed Tickets to the Kentucky Oaks & Derby