This Saturday May 7th is the 137 running of the Kentucky Derby.
Growing up 2 blocks from Churchill Downs, always made the first Saturday in May seem like a holiday.
On Derby eve, friends and family from all over the country (and Canada) came to our house to reminisce and talk about which entry they were going to bet that year….and why.
Us kids would camp out in the back yard or sleep in someone’s travel van, leaving bed space for the adults to crash, after sipping on Falls City Beer until the wee hours.
The next morning my mom fried several chickens for bag lunches and beginning around 7:30 am she’d shuttle multiple carloads over to the racetrack for the daylong festivities.
Picking the winning Derby horse not only resulted in a monetary reward, but most importantly brought lifelong bragging rights of having picked the winner of The Kentucky Derby.
All day long on Derby Day, you can overhear folks talking about “My Derby horse”…or “ who I’ve got” in the Derby…. as though they actually own the horse they are rooting for.
And believe me, when your choice in the Derby actually gets a call coming down the homestretch…. and you think you might have the winner…. the excitement makes you feel like one of the owners.
So this year, if you are so inclined, you too can share in the excitement and cheer for a horse running in the Kentucky Derby.
How to enter the First Annual THP Chile Head Stakes.
1.) Pick a horse entered in the Kentucky Derby (one per THP member)
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses
2.) Guess the 2011 Derby winners’ race time. (as a tie breaker)
(for example in 2010 Super Saver won the Kentucky Derby in a time of 2:04:45)
3.) Post your selection and winning race time before 6:00 PM EST Saturday May 7th
(any selections posted or post edits after 6:00 will be disallowed)
The Chile Head who selects the Winner of the Derby will receive an Official Chile-Headlight
http://www.barryrudolph.com/newtoys/toys/bil-lite.html
(along with assorted Ky Derby 137 collectables)
If two or more contestants choose the same winning horse, then the Chile Head who’s tie breaker “race time” is closest to the official winning time, will be declared the winner.
If after the tie breaker, two or more contestants are still tied, prizes will be awarded to each contestant.
The winner of the Chile Head Stakes will be posted on Sunday May 8th, sometime after recuperating from my traditional Mint Julep over indulgence.
Prizes will be shipped out early next week.
I hope those who enter the contest have fun with it ,enjoy the race,
and share in the excitement when the horses turn for home and the announcer proclaims…
“….And down the stretch they come !!! ”
I Hope to see you in the “Smiling line
Chili Monsta
Note: A tip of my hat to Spicy Chicken, who's recent THP contest inspired me to run one for Derby Day 2011.
...................UPDATE:.....................
The Post Position for the Derby field were decided yesterday afternoon.
And some of the favorites are not at all pleased with their starting position.
I thought the following stats might be helpful and of interest.
Remember,all selections or changes in either your horse selection and/or race time(tie breaker) must be posted before 6:00pm EST Saturday may 7th.
Winning Kentucky Derby Post Positions
Since 1900, posts 1 and 5 have produced the most Derby winners, although no one has won from the rail since Ferdinand in 1986.
The last winner from post 5 was Funny Cide in 2003.
With a full field of 20 expected to run Saturday in the Kentucky Derby post position figures to play a major factor.
A pair of winners have come from the far outside post 20; the most notable was Big Brown in 2008.
After 1 and 5, that have 12 wins apiece, posts 4, 8, and 10 have produced the second most wins with 11.
Giacomo broke from post 10 in 2005.
Mine That Bird came from post 8.
Post 4 had not produced a winner since Seattle Slew in 1977, until last year when Calvin Borel rode the Derby winner for the second year in a row on Super Saver.
Here are the post positions and the number of wins since 1900:
1 – 12
2 – 9
3 – 8
4 – 10
5 – 12
6 – 6
7 – 8
8 – 10
9 – 4
10 – 10
11 – 3
12 – 3
13 – 4
14 – 2
15 – 3
16 – 3
17 – 0
18 – 1
19 – 0
20 - 2
Growing up 2 blocks from Churchill Downs, always made the first Saturday in May seem like a holiday.
On Derby eve, friends and family from all over the country (and Canada) came to our house to reminisce and talk about which entry they were going to bet that year….and why.
Us kids would camp out in the back yard or sleep in someone’s travel van, leaving bed space for the adults to crash, after sipping on Falls City Beer until the wee hours.
The next morning my mom fried several chickens for bag lunches and beginning around 7:30 am she’d shuttle multiple carloads over to the racetrack for the daylong festivities.
Picking the winning Derby horse not only resulted in a monetary reward, but most importantly brought lifelong bragging rights of having picked the winner of The Kentucky Derby.
All day long on Derby Day, you can overhear folks talking about “My Derby horse”…or “ who I’ve got” in the Derby…. as though they actually own the horse they are rooting for.
And believe me, when your choice in the Derby actually gets a call coming down the homestretch…. and you think you might have the winner…. the excitement makes you feel like one of the owners.
So this year, if you are so inclined, you too can share in the excitement and cheer for a horse running in the Kentucky Derby.
How to enter the First Annual THP Chile Head Stakes.
1.) Pick a horse entered in the Kentucky Derby (one per THP member)
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses
2.) Guess the 2011 Derby winners’ race time. (as a tie breaker)
(for example in 2010 Super Saver won the Kentucky Derby in a time of 2:04:45)
3.) Post your selection and winning race time before 6:00 PM EST Saturday May 7th
(any selections posted or post edits after 6:00 will be disallowed)
The Chile Head who selects the Winner of the Derby will receive an Official Chile-Headlight
http://www.barryrudolph.com/newtoys/toys/bil-lite.html
(along with assorted Ky Derby 137 collectables)
If two or more contestants choose the same winning horse, then the Chile Head who’s tie breaker “race time” is closest to the official winning time, will be declared the winner.
If after the tie breaker, two or more contestants are still tied, prizes will be awarded to each contestant.
The winner of the Chile Head Stakes will be posted on Sunday May 8th, sometime after recuperating from my traditional Mint Julep over indulgence.
Prizes will be shipped out early next week.
I hope those who enter the contest have fun with it ,enjoy the race,
and share in the excitement when the horses turn for home and the announcer proclaims…
“….And down the stretch they come !!! ”
I Hope to see you in the “Smiling line
Chili Monsta
Note: A tip of my hat to Spicy Chicken, who's recent THP contest inspired me to run one for Derby Day 2011.
...................UPDATE:.....................
The Post Position for the Derby field were decided yesterday afternoon.
And some of the favorites are not at all pleased with their starting position.
I thought the following stats might be helpful and of interest.
Remember,all selections or changes in either your horse selection and/or race time(tie breaker) must be posted before 6:00pm EST Saturday may 7th.
Winning Kentucky Derby Post Positions
Since 1900, posts 1 and 5 have produced the most Derby winners, although no one has won from the rail since Ferdinand in 1986.
The last winner from post 5 was Funny Cide in 2003.
With a full field of 20 expected to run Saturday in the Kentucky Derby post position figures to play a major factor.
A pair of winners have come from the far outside post 20; the most notable was Big Brown in 2008.
After 1 and 5, that have 12 wins apiece, posts 4, 8, and 10 have produced the second most wins with 11.
Giacomo broke from post 10 in 2005.
Mine That Bird came from post 8.
Post 4 had not produced a winner since Seattle Slew in 1977, until last year when Calvin Borel rode the Derby winner for the second year in a row on Super Saver.
Here are the post positions and the number of wins since 1900:
1 – 12
2 – 9
3 – 8
4 – 10
5 – 12
6 – 6
7 – 8
8 – 10
9 – 4
10 – 10
11 – 3
12 – 3
13 – 4
14 – 2
15 – 3
16 – 3
17 – 0
18 – 1
19 – 0
20 - 2
