Kentucky’s Horse Racing and Bourbon

The spring fields of bluegrass are beginning to darken and young colts and fillies playfully gallop over the misty morning hills on horse farms throughout Central Kentucky.  There caretakers keep a watchful eye for the next potential Triple Crown Winner as they begin their journey in the world of horse racing.  There will be many long days of blood, sweat, and tears, as well as nights filled with dreams of being in the Winner’s Circle.  Much like the world of bourbon, horse racing has a deep culture in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The crown jewel of Horse Racing’s Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs looms in the distance on the first Saturday in May.  Preparations are in full swing throughout Louisville, Frankfort, and even Lexington, as the city plays host to the world at its annual cornerstone celebration of all things Kentucky.  The derby for most Kentuckians really starts earlier, as the Kentucky Derby Festival kicks off in March.  In Lexington, money will be wagered at the spring meet at Keeneland, which will have many of those same horses run in the Bluegrass Stakes, on the first Saturday of April. Derby party planning is in full swing.  Because the biggest party of the year is being thrown in the backyard of the bourbon industry, you cannot have one without the other.

Kentucky Bourbon and Horse Racing are entwined.  They both bring in huge amounts of influx to the local economy and are essential in Kentucky’s cultural identity.  Bourbon will most assuredly be the spirit of choice at both the tracks, and the distilleries are jockeying for your attention.  The Kentucky Derby has a long tradition of bourbon sponsorship dollars and is now known as the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. Woodford Reserve has a commemorative bottle in liquor stores now.  Four Roses got in on the action as the sponsor of the 16th Annual “Rose Julep” competition during the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Festival Unveiled event in March.  The official drink at Churchill Downs during derby weekend will be the mint julep which will be concocted with more than 10,000 bottles of Old Forester Ready to Serve Mint Julep Cocktail.  If you search the events calendars of your favorite distilleries during the week of the derby, you will find many activities  associated with the event, such as Buffalo Trace’s Oaks Day Festival which offers tours, tastings, bluegrass music, and bourbon flavored ice cream.

One of this year’s stand out performers hoping to get a shot in the “Run for the Roses” is named Bourbon War.  There is certainly a war between the distilleries to gain your attention during this year’s season of horse racing.  We are the real winners because we get to enjoy watching the pageantry of thoroughbred horse racing while imbibing with some of our favorite bourbon whiskys.

Always remember to drink and gamble responsibly.

Cheers Y’all!