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ended in 1996. For information only.
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Churchill Downs/Kentucky Derby
What do you imagine when you think of a horse race? When we
think of a horse race we think of the Kentucky Derby and its home, Churchill
Downs. The Kentucky Derby, a circle of fun-filled festivities, has many
traditions. Mint juleps, Derby pie, the blanket of roses, and hats are
just some of them. To learn a little more about the Derby and its
festival, read these next few paragraphs to see why we are so proud to
be a sixth grade class in Louisville, Kentucky.
Churchill Downs is a very famous place. It includes not only
the race track, but a museum, gift shops, restaurants, horse stables, and much
more. Walking into the gates of Churchill Downs, cobblestone roads and
beautiful plants off to the sides can be seen. Bright white and green
stands are arranged in tiers. The twin spires catch the eye as they
tower above everything. If it begins to rain, Millionaire’s Row, where
it is air-conditioned and dry, is the place to be. All of the spectators go crazy
when the race starts, especially the ones in the Infield.
One of the most amusing things to watch at the Derby is the
crowd. People wear hats of all shapes, sizes, colors, and designs. Lots of
them place bets on their favorite horses. Some people sit in
Millionaire’s Row, others in the grandstand, and still others picnic in
the Infield. They can be heard cheering wildly for their favorite
horse.
Fifteen to twenty horses and jockeys prepare to run the most
famous 1 1/4 miles in racing. Jockeys can stand only 4’4” to 4’11” tall and
weigh under 110 pounds to ride the horses. All are dressed in brightly
colored silks. The horses, all three years old, are bred for speed.
They are fresh from wins at many other tracks.
The crowd stands to sing “My Old Kentucky Home” as the horses
get into the starting gates and prepare to race. When the horses start running,
the fans go wild. Down the final stretch tension builds for the fans,
jockeys, owners, and horses. Finally, one horse comes across the finish
line first. The winning horse goes to the cherished Winner’s Circle and
receives the blanket of roses, a trophy, and the adulation of the entire
racing world.
The Derby Festival leads up to this famous race. Many people
spend months in planning. Thunder over Louisville, a gigantic air show and
the largest fireworks display in the world, comes first, about two weeks
before the Derby. The last Saturday in April the Balloon Race takes
place when about fifty balloons of various colors and shapes fly over
the skies of Kentuckiana. Race festivities go all week before that
first Saturday in May. Events such as the Mini-Marathon, Run for the
Rose’, Great Bed Race, Chow Wagons, and the Derby Classic Basketball
game occur. On Wednesday, the Belle of Louisville races the Delta Queen
for the best paddle wheeler on the Ohio River. On Thursday, the Pegasus
Parade, one of the largest in the country, goes down Broadway, a main
street in downtown Louisville. On Friday, the Run for the Lilies, or
Kentucky Oaks, is run for the three year old fillies. Then comes the
first Saturday in May and the Run for the Roses, the race itself--the
most exciting two minutes in horse racing in the world.
The Kentucky Derby and the Festival surrounding it are a big
part of our lives for a few weeks every spring. At our school we have our own
version of the Pegasus Parade when the sixth grade students create
floats and parade down the school hall. Last year we had a series of
races put on by the various classes, including a steamboat race,
tricycle race, three-legged races, and a hobby horse race. Our own
version of the “Run for the Roses” occurs as teachers place a paper
horse they’ve named and decorated into competition in our music room
becomes St. Edward Downs for the week. The day before Derby is even a
“free day” from school in Louisville.
As you can see, this race track and race are an important part
of our lives each year as the flowers begin to bloom. We hope you now know
why we are so proud to be from Louisville, home of Churchill Downs and the
Kentucky Derby.
Posted by Mrs. Janet Moore's Class
St Edward School
Louisville Kentucky
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