Kentucky Derby at 150: The Powerful Force of an Immovable American Sports Tradition

The dominant news of the day in Kentucky on May 17, 1875, was the death of John C. Breckinridge, a U.S. Congressman turned Confederate Civil War general. Breckinridge died at the age of 54 at his home in Lexington, Ky., a divisive historical figure. His obituary filled several columns in the next day’s, a relatively modest headline read, “Derby Day.

Wars, contagions and economic calamities have not unmoored it. World War II necessitated moving the 1945 edition to June, but the race was run. The COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t cause a cancellation, though it did present such a threat that the 2020 race was pushed into September. Evolving societal tastes, concerns about equine safety, a million other things to do—none have interrupted an event that began with Ulysses S. Grant in office, one decade after Robert E.

In a world of unsettlingly swift change, the sameness of the Kentucky Derby is a powerful force. The traditions are immovable. Ron Turcotte aboard Secretariat edges ahead of Laffit Pincay Jr. aboard Sham near the finish of the 99th Kentucky Derby in 1973.For the 150,000 patrons who will flood the massive property on Central Avenue on Saturday—at lamentably exclusive prices, with the cheapest admission tickets now soaring to $130—the same rituals play out every Derby day.

The romance stems from a slightly different form of nostalgia. Nobody wears formal attire to sporting events anymore—except at the Derby. This is the women-in-hats, men-in-seersucker capital of the world, a dress-up day that runs the fashion spectrum from classy to gaudy. Mint juleps must be consumed, even if those purchased from track vendors would make high-end mixologists cringe. Cocktail culture has had a renaissance in America, but at Churchill Downs, it never left.

Churchill Downs Horse Racing

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Kentucky appeals court denies Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth to enter Kentucky DerbyA Kentucky appeals court judge has denied Zedan Racing Stables’ requests for an emergency hearing and ruling that sought to allow Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth to run in next week’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Jeff S.
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »

Kentucky appeals court denies Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth to enter Kentucky DerbyA Kentucky appeals court judge has denied Zedan Racing Stables’ requests for an emergency hearing and ruling that sought to allow Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth to run in next week’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
Source: sdut - 🏆 5. / 95 Read more »

Judge denies request for Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth to run in Kentucky DerbyA judge has denied a request by the owner of Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth for the colt to run in next month’s 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Jefferson County Circuit Judge Mitch Perry declined Thursday to grant a temporary injunction to Zedan Racing Stables, which had argued that the ban of Baffert was “illegal.
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »

Request for Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth to run in Kentucky Derby deniedA judge has denied a request by the owner of Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth for the colt to run in next month's 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Source: WashTimes - 🏆 235. / 63 Read more »

Judge denies request for Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth to run in Kentucky DerbyA judge has denied a request by the owner of Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth for the colt to run in next month’s 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Jefferson County Circu…
Source: denverpost - 🏆 13. / 72 Read more »

Stronghold edges Baffert's favored Imagination to win Santa Anita Derby, earns Kentucky Derby berthStronghold defeated favored Imagination in a furious duel to the finish to win the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby by a neck.
Source: ABC7 - 🏆 67. / 68 Read more »