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Opinion
ENLARGE
It's time once again for the fastest two minutes of sports ... the annual Run for the Roses, better known as The Kentucky Derby. Fans have gathered at Churchill Downs, Ky., since 1875 to participate in this annual spring ritual that is just about as popular in Tahoe as it is in Kentucky.
In Incline Village, the annual event is a popular one, and many venues — including one of the larger ones at the Crystal Bay Club — allow for locals to enjoy the race up close and personal.
“I have that, along with the Running of the Bulls, on my ‘Ten Things to do before I Die' list,” said Incline resident McAvoy Layne, on if he plans to attend a derby live.
Another local, Rhonda Hutton, is hosting her eighth annual Kentucky Derby party, along with her husband Tim, and said it is their lifelong dream to someday go to the Derby.
Although many fans would love to experience the race in person, for some, it's not about the race itself. Instead, it's about hats, clothes, food, drinks and the party.
“We do it for the mint juleps,” said Rhonda Hutton. “We have the silver cups and all the plates, cups and other Kentucky Derby items.”
The ladies who attend the Huttons' party usually show up dressed in retro clothing which includes hats and gloves.
Yes, the ladies really do need to wear the gloves — in order to hold those silver cups full of mint juleps, said Marilyn Lantz, co-owner of Jeunesse Better Clothing, along with husband Rich.
However, Marilyn said the hats are really the focus of every derby outfit.
“The hat should not be a western hat. It needs to have a bow, ribbon, wide band and a flower,” she said. “The brim needs to be a minimum of 3 inches. And don't upstage the hat.”
Lantz explained how important it is for the flowers on the hat to go with the dress, and shoes should never overpower the hat or be too high.
As for a special color to look for this year for Derby Day, Lantz recommended elderberry. This great new color is a mix of purple and navy blue and is very classy, sophisticated and a standout, she said, not only for the derby, but other special summer events.
Now about the horses. The names are really important as they say so much about the horse. This year we have ones named Awesome Act, Devil May Care , Sidney's Candy and even a Super Saver. Now if you need to see the horses and read everything you can about each one go online to www.kentuckyderby.com/contenders.
“Go with Looking at Lucky,” Layne recommended, referring to the racing sheets' horse descriptions. “One of his hind legs bends the wrong way, and the other one is as straight and stiff as a tent-pole. Most of his teeth are gone, and he is as blind as bat. His nose has been broken at some time or other, and is arched like a culvert now. His under lip hangs down like a camel's, and his ears are chopped off close to his head.”
In Incline Village, the annual event is a popular one, and many venues — including one of the larger ones at the Crystal Bay Club — allow for locals to enjoy the race up close and personal.
“I have that, along with the Running of the Bulls, on my ‘Ten Things to do before I Die' list,” said Incline resident McAvoy Layne, on if he plans to attend a derby live.
Another local, Rhonda Hutton, is hosting her eighth annual Kentucky Derby party, along with her husband Tim, and said it is their lifelong dream to someday go to the Derby.
Although many fans would love to experience the race in person, for some, it's not about the race itself. Instead, it's about hats, clothes, food, drinks and the party.
“We do it for the mint juleps,” said Rhonda Hutton. “We have the silver cups and all the plates, cups and other Kentucky Derby items.”
The ladies who attend the Huttons' party usually show up dressed in retro clothing which includes hats and gloves.
Yes, the ladies really do need to wear the gloves — in order to hold those silver cups full of mint juleps, said Marilyn Lantz, co-owner of Jeunesse Better Clothing, along with husband Rich.
However, Marilyn said the hats are really the focus of every derby outfit.
“The hat should not be a western hat. It needs to have a bow, ribbon, wide band and a flower,” she said. “The brim needs to be a minimum of 3 inches. And don't upstage the hat.”
Lantz explained how important it is for the flowers on the hat to go with the dress, and shoes should never overpower the hat or be too high.
As for a special color to look for this year for Derby Day, Lantz recommended elderberry. This great new color is a mix of purple and navy blue and is very classy, sophisticated and a standout, she said, not only for the derby, but other special summer events.
Now about the horses. The names are really important as they say so much about the horse. This year we have ones named Awesome Act, Devil May Care , Sidney's Candy and even a Super Saver. Now if you need to see the horses and read everything you can about each one go online to www.kentuckyderby.com/contenders.
“Go with Looking at Lucky,” Layne recommended, referring to the racing sheets' horse descriptions. “One of his hind legs bends the wrong way, and the other one is as straight and stiff as a tent-pole. Most of his teeth are gone, and he is as blind as bat. His nose has been broken at some time or other, and is arched like a culvert now. His under lip hangs down like a camel's, and his ears are chopped off close to his head.”
