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Tradition

In addition to the race itself, a number of traditions play a large role in the Derby atmosphere. The Mint Julep, an iced drink consisting of bourbon, mint and a sugar syrup is the traditional beverage of the race. The historic drink can be served in an ice-frosted silver julep cup but most Churchill Downs patrons sip theirs from a souvenir glass printed with all previous Derby winners. Also, burgoo, a thick stew of beef, chicken, pork and vegetables, is a popular Kentucky dish served at the Derby.

The infield, a spectator area inside the track, offers general admission prices but little chance of seeing much of the race. Instead, revelers show up in the infield to party with abandon. By contrast, "Millionaire's Row" refers to the expensive box seats that attract the rich, the famous and the well-connected. Women appear in fine outfits lavishly accessorized with large, elaborate hats. As the horses are paraded before the grandstands, the University of Louisville marching band plays Stephen Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home."

The Derby is frequently referred to as "The Run for the Roses," because a lush blanket of 554 red roses is awarded to the Kentucky Derby winner each year. The tradition originated in 1883 when New York socialite E. Berry Wall presented roses to ladies at a post-Derby party that was attended by Churchill Downs founder and president, Col. M. Lewis Clark. This gesture is believed to have eventually led Clark to the idea of making the rose the race's official flower. However, it was not until 1896 that any recorded account referred to roses being draped on the Derby winner. The Governor of Kentucky awards the garland and the trophy. Pop vocalist Dan Fogelberg composed the song "Run for the Roses" for the 1980 running of the race.

Kentucky Derby 2009 Winner

Mine That Bird wins this year Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The cowboy and his horse beat them all. Four Hall of Fame trainers. The ruler of Dubai. Two very sentimental favorites. Trainer Bennie Woolley Jr. hitched Mine That Bird to the back of his pickup and drove to the Kentucky Derby from New Mexico. With an inspired ride on the rail from Calvin Borel, it all added up to one of the greatest upsets in 135 years of America's most famous horse race."Those cowboys," trainer Bob Baffert said, "they came with a good horse."

Mine That Bird went off at 50-1 odds Saturday, but that was only one measure of how little attention he garnered before pulling away in the stretch to score a 6 3/4-length victory at Churchill Downs, the second-biggest stunner in Derby history. The margin was the largest since Assault won by eight lengths in 1946.

"All I asked him was to lay the horse back and be patient, and he did that magically," Woolley said.

That should have been no surprise since Borel used the same rail-hugging ride to win the Derby two years ago with Street Sense.

"I learned by Street Sense being so patient with these 3-year-olds," Borel said. "They can only go so fast, so far. When I hollered at him, he just went on."

Pioneerof the Nile was second. Musket Man was another nose back in third.

Papa Clem was fourth, followed by Chocolate Candy, Summer Bird, Join in the Dance, Regal Ransom, West Side Bernie, General Quarters, Dunkirk, Hold Me Back, Advice, Desert Party, Mr. Hot Stuff, Atomic Rain, Nowhere to Hide, Friesan Fire and Flying Private.

2009 Kentucky Derby Results & Purse: $2,177,200

  • 1st - Mine That Bird
  • 2nd - Pioneerof the Nile
  • 3rd - Musket Man
  • 4th - Papa Clem

2009 Kentucky Derby Payouts:

# Horse Jockey Weight Win Place Show

8 Mine That Bird Borel C H 126 103.20 54.00 25.80

16 Pioneerof the Nile Gomez G K 126 8.40 6.40

2 Musket Man Coa E M 126 12.00

Complete Kentucky Derby Results:

  • 1st - Mine That Bird
  • 2nd - Pioneerof the Nile
  • 3rd - Musket Man
  • 4th - Papa Clem
  • 5th - Chocolate Candy
  • 6th - Summer Bird
  • 7th - Join in the Dance
  • 8th - Regal Ransom
  • 9th - West Side Bernie
  • 10th - General Quarters
  • 11th - Dunkirk
  • 12th - Hold Me Back
  • 13th - Advice
  • 14th - Desert Party
  • 15th - Mr. Hot Stuff
  • 16th - Atomic Rain
  • 17th - Nowhere to Hide
  • 18th - Friesan Fire
  • 19th - Flying Private