And you’re off — to the Kentucky Derby and the southern comforts of Louisville
Gents, pull that seersucker blazer out from deep inside your closet. And ladies, it’s time to pack the widest-brimmed hat you own. Because in just a few weeks, you’ll have the perfect occasion to don your southern style: the Kentucky Derby.
Held since 1875 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, on the first Saturday in May, the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports, as it’s affably called, is the first leg of horse-racing’s American Triple Crown. Also known as the Run for the Roses — after the flowers that blanket the winner — the race is the longest-running continuous sporting event in the United States and, some argue, the most celebrated in the world.
THE DERBY
The race is a culmination of the two-week Kentucky Derby Festival — including marathons, a steamboat race, hot-air balloon events and a parade — so Louisville is already in full party mode by the time the horses strut their stuff and more than 150,000 onlookers cheer them on.
Fashion is key, with big hats the sartorial requisite for the southern-inspired Derby. Another must-have accessory is the mint julep. Made of bourbon, sugar, mint and crushed ice, close to 120,000 of the syrupy iced drinks are served to racing enthusiasts over the weekend. The historic beverage is typically poured into souvenir glasses emblazoned with the names of Derby winners.
DINING AND PARTAKING
There’s a reason the mint julep is a Derby mainstay. Aside from its well-known status as horse country, the Bluegrass State is the birthplace of bourbon. Over 95 per cent of the world’s supply is produced here, with onethird of Kentucky’s bourbon made in Louisville. The only alcohol unique to the U.S., it’s no surprise that Bourbon is known as America’s Native Spirit.
To get a taste for the whisky and a glimpse into Louisville’s unique bourbon history, follow the Urban Bourbon Trail. Featuring restaurants and bars with bourbon-infused dishes and drinks, the Trail includes historic spots with ties to Al Capone and F. Scott Fitzgerald, as well as internationally recognized establishments, some boasting more than 100 bourbons. (Make sure to get your Trail passport validated at each stop; you need six to receive a commemorative tee shirt).
Take a tour of Kentucky’s first commercial distillery, Evan Williams, situated on Whiskey Row, where approximately 50 distilleries operated over 100 years ago. And be sure to return to the area in the evening to enjoy the night life. Of course, bourbon isn’t the only drink of choice here. There’s also wine: Old 502 Winery — the city’s first and only urban winery — offers tastings made of grapes grown by local farmers.
Then there’s the food. Recently ranked second on USA Today’s list of cities with the Best Local Food Scene, Louisville’s wealth of farms enables a variety of farm-totable experiences. At the center of the NuLu (New Louisville) neighbourhood in an 1870s Victorian house, you’ll find Decca, which focuses on local ingredients and local musicians. Another celebrated establishment with a strong locally sourced menu is Harvest Restaurant, the brainchild of farmer and champion of Louisville’s farm-to-table movement, Ivor Chodkowski.
Across from Churchill Downs, Wagner’s Pharmacy has been offering good ol’ American dining with a sprinkling of history since 1922. Head to the Brown Hotel to try the Hot Brown — an open-faced sandwich of turkey, bacon and tomato drizzled with Mornay sauce — where Louisville’s signature dish was invented.
Let’s not forget that Louisville is the headquarters of that little-known chicken joint, KFC. A quick 30-minute trip to Shelbyville will bring you to Claudia Sanders Dinner House, the restaurant launched in 1968 by the Colonel and his wife.
MORE THAN A RACE
For all things Derby, check out the Churchill Downs’ Kentucky Derby Museum, featuring a 30-minute walking tour of the racetrack, a 360-degree media race experience and interactive exhibits.
In downtown Louisville you’ll find the Muhammad Ali Center, a cultural and educational attraction celebrating the hometown hero and boxing legend. Visit the Louisville Slugger Museum (hard to miss, thanks to the world’s largest baseball bat at its entrance), where the hickory stick has been made since 1884. Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the “Bat Vault,” witness the making of a baseball bat and receive a free mini-bat.
And don’t miss the 21c Museum Hotel. The unique boutique hotel and museum combo is a veritable dream for a patron of contemporary art — and part of a growing, award-winning hotel chain founded by art collectors. North America’s only museum dedicated to art of the 21st century, it’s open 24/7, with a vast collection of works by living artists from around the world.
If historical architecture is your thing, visit old Louisville for a glimpse into the country’s largest collection of Victorian mansions. And for an upscale shopping experience, check out Rodes. Serving Louisville since 1914, the clothier is the ultimate choice for luxury apparel — and the best place to stock up on Derby wear for your next trip to the races.