FReeper Canteen ~ It's Kentucky Derby Time...the 152nd Running ~ 02 May 2026

Our Troops Rock !! | The Canteen Crew and FRiend

[Kathy in Alaska]

The Freeper Canteen Presents....

~ It’s Kentucky Derby Time!! The 152nd Running! ~

Barbershop Quartet ~ Star Spangled Banner

Call To The Post

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

CHURCHILL DOWNS

While traveling in England and France in 1872-1873, 26-year-old Col. M. Lewis Clark, devised the idea of a Louisville Jockey Club for conducting race meets. Clark toured and visited with a number of prominent racing leaders, including England's Admiral Rous and France's Vicompte Darn, vice president of the French Jockey Club.

Upon his return from Europe, Clark began development of his racetrack which would serve to showcase the Kentucky breeding industry. The track would eventually become known as "Churchill Downs." The first reference of the name Churchill Downs came in an 1883 Kentucky Derby article reported by the former Louisville Commercial.

Click for the rest of the story

Elvis ~ Kentucky Rain

Neil Diamond ~ Kentucky Woman

Red Foley ~ Old Kentucky Fox Chase

Loretta Lynn ~ Blue Kentucky Girl

Everly Brothers ~ Old Kentucky River

CONTENDERS

Click to check out the contenders...

MINT JULEP

Make simple syrup by taking equal parts of hot water and sugar. Stir.

Add fresh mint and muddle [mash, preferably with something like a pestle, otherwise use the back of a spoon].

Add crushed ice to an 8-ounce glass.

Add two ounces of simple syrup.

Top off with Kentucky Bourbon, and add a sprig of fresh mint.

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

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

[PROCON]

IT'S FRIDAY!!

LET'S ROCK THE CANTEEN WITH

TUNES FOR OUR TROOPS!!

LET'S GET THIS SHOW OFF THE GROUND!!

[lightman]

TGIF!

Happy May!

[dfwgator]

Spike Jones - William Tell Overture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BavRrRNvz8g

[Fiji Hill]

One Mint Julep--The Clovers (1952)

[Fiji Hill]

Kentucky Waltz--Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys (1945)

[yldstrk]

Outlaw horse racing.

[Fiji Hill]

Foggy Mountain Breakdown--Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs & the Foggy Mountain Boys (1950)

[decal]

Singer-songwriter Steve James: “Frankie Jean” from his album American Primitive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hTZrOuxBUk&list=RD-hTZrOuxBUk&start_radio=1

[FamiliarFace]

Guns n Roses - Knockin on Heaven’s Door
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQK6jedRrlU

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[Fiji Hill]

This was originally a hit in 1860.

Wildwood Flower--The Carter Family (1929)

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

"Diggy Diggy Lo – Doug Kershaw"

"Blue Moon Special – Lost Bayou Ramblers"

"You Won’t Be Satisfied – Cajun Country Revival"

"Mamou Hot Step – Jesse Lege and Friends"

"Hey Ma Petit Fille – Buckwheat Zydeco"

"Rosa Majeur – Queen Ida and the Bon Temps Zydeco Band"

"Le Chanky Chank Francais – BeauSoleil"

[P8riot]

I’ve got a good stock of Woodford Double Oaked.

[decal]

Doc Watson’s live version of “Tennessee Stud”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq-1G6Wif8s&list=RDdq-1G6Wif8s&start_radio=1

[FamiliarFace]

Wild Horses - Rolling Stones (in the studio)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNaqBBjrIZw

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ The 152nd Running of the Kentucky Derby! ~

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 THREADS

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.

[FamiliarFace]

Apparently, there’s a horse named “Renegade” running tomorrow, with current odds at 5-1. So in honor of this horse, I offer “Renegade” by Styx.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXhuso4OTG4

[Kathy in Alaska]

****Liberty Call****

[decal]

And let’s not overlook the Kentucky Oaks for the fillies.

Always A Runner won by 1 1/4 lengths over Meaning, paying $13.02 for a $2 win ticket.