The 138th Kentucky Derby takes place this Saturday, May 5, with horses racing at 6:23 pm. Perfect timing if you want to spend lunchtime celebrating Cinco de Mayo and then head to a Derby Party for the afternoon. Some are calling it Cinco de Derby Day. We've culled a few tips from around the web for doing the Derby right.
1. Find your hat. The Washington Post Style Blog today has this advice for picking a perfectly ostentatious Derby Day hat. But Westport designer Olga Adler offers accessorizing advice for ladies who aren't fans of the big-brimmed look. Check out her great fascinator finds.
2. Place your bet. Norwalk's HamletHub editor Andrew Dominick offers this advice for placing your bet: "The favorite in the 1¼ mile race at 4-1 odds is Bodemeister, the horse that blew away the field in the Arkansas Derby. Here's the list of post positions, horses, jockeys, and gambling odds that were announced yesterday:"
1 Daddy Long Leg, C. O'Donoghue, 30-1
2 Optimizer, J. Court, 50-1
3 Take Charge Indy, C. Borel, 15-1
4 Union Rags, J. Leparoux, 9-2
5 Dullahan, K. Desormeaux, 8-1
6 Bodemiester, M. Smith, 4-1
7 Rousing Sermon, J. Lezcano, 50-1
8 Creative Cause, J. Rosario, 12-1
9 Trinniberg, W. Martinez, 50-1
10 Daddy Nose Best, G. Gomez, 15-1
11 Alpha, R. Maragh, 15-1
12 Prospective, L. Contreras, 30-1
13 Went The Day Well, J. Velazquez, 20-1
14 Hansen, R. Dominguez, 10-1
15 Gemologist, J. Castellano, 6-1
16 El Padrino, R. Bejarano 20-1
17 Done Talking, S. Russell, 50-1
18 Sabercat, C. Nakatani, 30-1
19 I'll Have Another, M. Gutierrez, 12-1
20 Liaison, M. Garcia, 50-1
3. Pick your spot. Situate yourself somewhere you can get a perfect Mint Julep and a view of the race on a widescreen TV. Here are a just a few suggestions. Add yours in the comments section!Dominick adds that, "First-time horse racing gamblers can find all they need to know about placing bets on Derby Day online. To place bets locally, head to one of two off-track betting locations: Norwalk OTB in the Norwalk Mall on Burnell Boulevard, Norwalk, or Bridgeport OTB at 179 Boston Avenue, Bridgeport.
Bridgeport: Barnum Publick House will have the race on several TVs and Mint Julep pitchers for $20.
Milford: We hate to point you out of the county, but PlanBBurger in Milford is bound to know what it's doing when it comes to Mint Juleps. Their bourbon menu can't be beat, and they're having Derby parties at all four of their locations in Connecticut.
Monroe: Tavern at 262 Main St. in Monroe will feature $5 Spearmint Juleps made with Emeril Lagasse's drink recipe, with the race on 3 big screen TVs at the bar.
Newtown: Pub25 at 266 South Main Street (Rte. 25) in Newtown might just offer the best view of the Derby, with a projector casting the race lifesize onto the wall. They'll serve Mint Juleps and Coronas for a Cinco de Derby celebrants.
Southport: The Pequot Library is hosting a Kentucky Derby Tailgate party fundraiser from 4-7. "Bring your own tailgate or enjoy ours." Prizes for Best Hat and Best Tailgate.
Stratford: Mill River Country Club in Stratford, is hosting a Kentucky Derby Party, Barnum Festival Style with a Southern country buffet, complementary Mint Julep, cash bar, raffles, and ladies' hat contest. See link to RSVP.
Westport: The Spotted Horse Tavern, Westport, is planning a First Annual Kentucky Derby Party. Mint Juleps will also be on the menu at Luxe Modern Wine and Cocktails, this weekend only, in honor of the Derby.
What did we miss? Know a great spot to catch the Derby and a drink? Tell us about it in the comments!
Kentucky Derby coverage lasts from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. with the big race kicking off at 6:23 p.m. on NBC.