FReeper Canteen ~ It's Kentucky Derby Time!! ~ 01 May 09

Serving The Best Troops And Veterans In The World!! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ It’s Kentucky Derby Time!! ~

KENTUCKY DERBY TROPHY

Since the 50th running of the Kentucky Derby in 1924, Churchill Downs has annually presented a gold trophy to the winning owner of the famed "Run for the Roses."

History is unclear if a trophy was presented in 1875 to the winner of the first Kentucky Derby, and trophy presentations were sporadically made in following years. Finally, in 1924, legendary Churchill Downs President Matt Winn commissioned that a standard design be developed for the "Golden Anniversary" of the Derby.

Outside of the jeweled embellishments that were added to note special Derby anniversaries in 1949 (75th), 1974 (100th), and 1999 (125th), only one change has been made to the original design. For the 125th Kentucky Derby in 1999, Churchill Downs officials decided to defer to racing lore and change the direction of the decorative horseshoe displayed on the 14-karat gold trophy.

More on the Kentucky Derby Trophy

Kate Smith ~ My Old Kentucky Home

Canteen Mission Statement

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

HISTORY OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY

Founded as the Louisville Jockey Club in 1874, the original Churchill Downs was built by Col. M. Lewis Clark, the grandson of the famed explorer. Inspired by England’s Epsom Derby, Churchill Downs hosted the first Kentucky Derby in 1875.

Named for the original owners of the property, Churchill Downs is known for its famous twin spires, built in 1895.

In 2004, the facility underwent a $120 million modernization, replacing much of the mammoth Victorian-era grandstand with luxury suites.

Seats on Millionaire’s Row cost $50,000 (and up) for a table for eight. Suites are priced at $259,000 to $305,000 for two days, including Friday’s Kentucky Oaks program. Reserved clubhouse seats (including lunch and open bar) fetch $1,776 per person (also for two days). General admission (infield, Derby day only) is $40.

Of 133 Derby winners, 100 were born in Kentucky, followed by Florida (six) and Virginia (four). California has produced three Derby winners: Morvich (1922), Swaps (1955) and Decidedly (1962). Three fillies have won: Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980) and Winning Colors (1988).

More Derby History

Elvis ~ Kentucky Rain

Neil Diamond ~ Kentucky Woman

Red Foley ~ Kentucky Fox Chase

Loretta Lynn ~ Blue Kentucky Girl

Everly Brothers ~ Old Kentucky River

KENTUCKY DERBY FASHIONS

The Derby is not just about horse racing and drinking Mint Juleps. . . In the Clubhouse and Paddock, women of grace and taste sport classy, fashionable styles. In the infield, you will see many homemade hats that are more comical. Or, as Hunter S. Thompson might say, freakish.

Click to see some more hats…

Dolly Parton ~ Kentucky Gambler

Julie Ingram ~ Gone To Kentucky

Ricky Skaggs ~ Kentucky Thunder

Skeeter Davis ~ Bus Fare To Kentucky

Hank Hankins ~ My Old Kentucky Home Rock

SILKS

The average race fan is able to follow a horse's progress through the use of the program, television monitors, the number on the saddlecloth and the track announcer's call.

But when horse racing first began in the early 18th century, there were no such things as program numbers, public address systems or closed circuit television. So when King Charles II first assembled race meets on the plains of Hempstead, the dukes and the barons had trouble figuring out which horse was which. So, they adopted racing silks - or colors - to distinguish their jockeys for easier viewing.

During the time of King Charles II, the silks were simple -- red for one duke, black for another duke, orange for one earl, white for another earl, and so on.

The tradition of the silks remains today as jockeys wear the colors of the horse owners, but because there are so many owners, they have become even more colorful. Some of the most famous silks are the devil's red and blue of Calumet Farm, worn by the jockeys of Kentucky Derby winners Citation and Ponder and Allen Paulson's star-spangled red-white-and-blue colors, carried by the champion racehorse Cigar.

The jockeys' room at Churchill Downs houses hundreds of silks which are hung on pegs in the order of each jockey's races for that day.

Click to check out the Contenders and their silks!!

Please remember that The Canteen is here to support
and entertain our troops and veterans and their families,
and is family friendly.

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Lord, Please Bless Our Troops, They're fighting for our Freedom.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

God Bless Our Republic

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation UNDER GOD,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

Prayers going up

[al baby]

Good Evening

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

First?

[Kathy in Alaska]

It’s Kentucky Derby Time!!

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD

CLICK FOR Current local times around the world

CLICK FOR local times in Seoul, Baghdad, Kabul,
New York, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Anchorage

To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.
To our military readers, we remain steadfast
in keeping the Canteen doors open.

The FR Canteen is Free Republic's longest running daily thread
specifically designed to provide entertainment and moral support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.

We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.

NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.

[Kathy in Alaska]

My work internet connection is just barely limping along. AND I have to meet a couple people for dinner (was supposed to be last night), so I will be leaving in about 15 minutes, but I’ll be back as soon as I can.

[SandRat]

AND THEY’RE OFF!!!!

Is it me or is FR awfully slow tonight?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Honoring Our Heroes

2LT Rebecca USA (Daughter of U S Army EOD)
3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad)
AbnSarge USA
Allegra
Brett USN (CindyDawg)
Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee)
Cannoneer No. 4
CAPT Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline)
CAPT Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou)
Chris USA (amom)
Chuck USA (RightOnline)
COL Mike (gpapa)
CMS USA
David USAF (LUV W)
Defender2
Deven USA (Shimmer)
Ethan USMC (georgiabelle)
Fred (DocRock)
GulfWar1Vet USA
IS2 Brianne USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
IS2 Heather USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
Jade Falcon USN
JemiansTerror USA (Jemian)
Jet Jaguar USAF
Joel (NEMDF)
Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal)
Josh USN (doug from upland)
Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter)
Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Kevin USMC (skimask)
Kevin and David USA (vigilante2)
Laurita USA
LCPL Carter USMC
Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
LT David (Coldwater Creek)
M1911A1 USMC (M0sby)
M1Tanker
Major joma89 USAF
MEG33's Navy Grandson
Michael USAR (RightOnline)
Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak)
Milo828 USA (mystery-ak)
Nate USN (sneakers)
Old Sarge USA
OneLoyalAmerican USCG
PFC Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo)
PFC Jake USMC (son of Enough_Deceit)
Pvt Alex USA (son of Enough_Deceit)
Robert, Jeremy, Daynnis USA (SoldierDad)
Sat-Com Chris USA (son of KC Burke)
SGT Brian USA (repubmom)
SGT Dusty USA (MountainDad)
SGT Ev USA (Mozie)
SGT Gray USA (colorcountry’s son)
SGT Sean Reed (preed)
Son USCG (GodBlessUSA)
SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge)
SSG Dustin USA (SIL of U S Army EOD)
SSG Mitchel USA (tina07)
SSG Spencer USA (grame)
SSGT Don May Jr USMC (debm29palms)
SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear)
Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
The Sailor
tongue-tied USN/USA
Tonkin USN/USCG
txradioguy USA
Valerie USAF (Shimmer)
Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline)
William USA (jackv)

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

And in first....Nana Hope grabs the gold!!

[TASMANIANRED]

Evening Kathy, Hugs.

Rainy day for the parade today.

Wind gave the balloons a bit of a problem.

I thought Pegasus was going to fly away.

[TASMANIANRED]

Evening Hope, Hugs.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I’ve been blaming my work connection......I’m having a terrible time.

[AZamericonnie]

Supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen
at more than 1,000 places across the U. S. and around the world.

~Tribute to Our Troops~

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

It’s pretty slow for me too.

[TASMANIANRED]

Evening al.

FR has been slowed to a crawl.

[TASMANIANRED]

Evening Tweeze.

[Kathy in Alaska]

And in 2nd and snagging the silver....al!!

[supremedoctrine]

You omitted the Everly Bros. great song simply titled
“Kentucky”. “Kentucky, you are the sweetest land outside of heaven to me.....Kentucky, I miss the laurel and the redbud tree.....”

[TASMANIANRED]

Evening Sandy.

It must be FR because it isn’t you.

[AZamericonnie]

Loverly thread Ma & thank you for it!

I’m thinking it’s not your work connection.

I had the same troubles at work this afternoon & now at home as well.

Order something fun for dinner...like dessert!:) *hugs*