2008 Woodie Awards
Tradition has students racing to horse track
Whitney Harrod
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: College Life
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Secretariat raced it in one minute and 59 seconds in 1973. Last year, Street Sense raced it in a little over two minutes.
This May, Kentucky Derby favorites Pyro and Big Brown, along with 15 other contenders, hope to steal the coveted blanket of roses during the world's most famous two-minutes of horse racing.
"Growing up in Louisville, it's a must to go," Lauren Allard, sophomore from Louisville, Ky., said. "For me, it's a homecoming when I go back to Louisville for the Derby. I went to the Derby a few years ago. I loved seeing everyone dressed up where I saw many ridiculous and elaborate hats."
The 2008 Kentucky Derby will be held Saturday May 1 under the twin spires at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
As a tradition since 1875, 10 to 15 three-year-old horses will race 1.4 miles down a dirt track.
The winning horse will receive a purse of $2 million. Derby Day is preceded by The Oaks, a race exclusively for thoroughbred fillies.
Derby Day goers will be partying hard in the infield, living in luxury in Millionaire's Row or watching the race somewhere between. Not only do the rich and famous gather on Derby Day, but also thousands of college-aged students fill the enclosed grounds of the racetrack known as the infield.
"We thought it was more fun to sit in the stands so we could watch people (from up high) in the infield go wild," Allard said.
What Mardi Gras is to Bourbon Street is what the infield is to the Derby. In 28 days, more than 80,000 young adults over the age of 21, will drink bourbon and mint juleps, party, and go buck wild. While infielders may not see the actual run for the roses, the admission prices are worth the investment.
Keeneland racetrack in Lexington, Ky., will host College Scholarship Day today where 10 $1,000 scholarships will be given out. The first 1,000 full-time college students to register for scholarships will receive a free T-shirt.
Free entry will be given through the East Gate. Live races will be run throughout the day at Keeneland.
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