Posted on 04/30/2020 10:17:34 PM PDT by TBP
Churchill Downs announced Thursday that it will conduct a virtual running of the Kentucky Derby during a telecast on NBC on May 2 from 3-6 p.m. ET on the traditional day of the Kentucky Derby.
Called the “The Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown,” the virtual race is a computer-simulated version of the American classic, which was postponed this year due to COVID-19 from its traditional running on the first Saturday in May until Sept. 5.
The virtual race, created by Inspired Entertainment, will feature the 13 past Triple Crown winners and use data algorithms including historical handicapping information about each horse, which helps to determine the probability of their potential finishing positions.
Churchill Downs will be hosting a day-long at-home Kentucky Derby party to raise $2 million for COVID-19 emergency relief efforts. Churchill Downs invites fans to honor the annual tradition while staying “Healthy at Home.”
Fans can tune in to a special broadcast on NBC on May 2, from 3 to 6 p.m. EDT, which will feature the 2015 Kentucky Derby that began the legendary American Pharaoh’s historic Triple Crown run (full NBC Sports show details to be announced next week). In addition, the NBC broadcast will highlight Churchill Downs’ first ever virtual horse race—The Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown, a computer-simulated version of a race under the historic Twin Spires of Churchill Downs. The virtual race, created by Inspired Entertainment, will feature the 13 past Triple Crown winners and use data algorithms including historical handicapping information about each horse, which helps to determine the probability of their potential finishing positions.
Beginning on April 30, fans will be able to visit www.KentuckyDerby.com to choose their favorite horse to win the virtual race and also join Churchill Downs in making a charitable donation to COVID-19 emergency relief efforts. All participants who select the winning horse will be entered to win the ultimate Kentucky Derby 146 VIP Experience. Churchill Downs has pledged to match up to $1 million of donations with funds to be directed to the Team Kentucky Fund and Direct Relief. A small percentage will be earmarked for the R.E.I.N. Fund (Relief for Equine Industry Needs), a program managed by Churchill Downs Foundation designed to benefit workers of the backside whose livelihood has been impacted by COVID-19 and also to help ensure essential care for horses throughout the pandemic.
A full day of online festivities is planned on May 2, designed to encourage the perfect interactive Kentucky Derby party at home. Churchill Downs will join the Kentucky Derby Museum and other partners to offer virtual tours, Derby cocktail and fascinator-making instructions, ideas for party decorations, kids’ crafts, Derby-inspired recipes, an at-home Derby fashion contest and much more.
“For many fans around the country, the first Saturday in May has become a part of their family’s yearly traditions,” said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “While we eagerly look forward to the 146th Kentucky Derby this year on the first Saturday in September, we will celebrate the annual excitement of our traditional date with our fans and community by offering ways for us to join together for a great cause. Our fans will be captivated by the realistic view of the virtual race and we can debate, as we do each year, our favorite to win.”
“The anticipation of which Triple Crown winner will emerge as the ultimate champion is thrilling,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated, “but most importantly, we are proud to use this platform as a force for good by raising money for these worthy COVID-19 emergency initiatives. We urge fans to join us by donating and celebrating with us from home.”
Join the virtual party by posting your home Derby Party experience using #KyDerbyAtHome on Saturday, May 2, and follow @KentuckyDerby on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram on the first Saturday in May to engage with a full day of exciting content and other at-home Derby parties from across the country.
Visit www.KentuckyDerbyParty.com regularly for an updated schedule of activities, recipes, ingredient lists, style tips and decorating ideas so that Kentucky Derby fans can be ready to celebrate the first Saturday in May together from home.
I'm picking Secretariat, holder of the stakes record for all three of the Triple Crown races.
I’d rather run the carnival horse race game I played some 55 years ago.
Hey cool, so I’ll ‘virtually’ not watch, Ok?
I heard that in place of the Derby, a turtle race will be held in Chicago on Saturday.
https://foxlexington.com/news/offbeat/turtle-recall-derby-dashed-turtles-go-in-slow-steady-race
This is beyond sad. TV, an opiate for the masses who’ve allowed their Constitutional rights to be stripped away.
Sounds kind of cute, but mostly... Sad.
This is insane.
Are they going to program in..the big one...for ratings?
I will drink a virtual mint julip while watching. It’s just like a real mint julip, but without the mint, sugar and ice.
This could be fun. During the 1981 Baseball Strike, the Reds broadcast on radio a simulated game between the 1976 Reda and the 1927 Yankees. The “Dayton Daily News” got into the spirit by publishing an “interview” with Babe Ruth about the game as part of the fun.
There is real racing at Gulfstream, Tampa, Fonner, and Oaklawn Park. Oaklawn Park will be running two heats of the Arkansas Derby, a prep race usually run earlier in the year but this year they decided to take over the Derby spot.
If the simulation is at all accurate, Secretariat will win, be opening, and accelerating at the finish.
Big Red’s 1:59.4 is still the record for the Kentucky Derby at 1-1/4 miles.
Secretariat 1:59.2, Monarchos 1:59.4.
No thanks, I’ll be outside without a mask enjoying a cold beer with friends at an underground summer gathering.
Big Red holds the stakes record for all three Triple Crown races. (I call it “the All-Time Triple Crown.”)
I was at Belmont the day he won the Triple Crown. Simply, the most impressive race I have ever seen, and Secretariat knew it was his crowd.
My dad was at the Derby the year Citation won and at the Belmont the year Secretariat won. He said he thought that put a nice bracket around it.
I have a nice photo of Big Red at Saratoga that year, when he was upset by Onion, I think in the Whitney stakes, not the travers.
Also, the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. I think he was third.
The virtual race, created by Inspired Entertainment, will feature the 13 past Triple Crown winners and use data algorithms including historical handicapping information about each horse, which helps to determine the probability of their potential finishing positions.
They all ran the same track so is it that hard?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.