So I am hosting a KY Derby/Oaks party. Anyone have any great ideas on how to make it more memorable? Burbon-based drinks and hats I have, but I was wondering (for example) if it is possible to print off the racing sheets you get if you go to a track, or any ideas like that? Just things to make the non-horse people get into it a bit more…maybe some prize for the person who picks one of the top three or something?
Kentuckyderby.com has some pages with ideas, themed supplies, even a party page!
We have 3 “games” planned for our Derby Party:
-
Betting Grid.
Horses names down one axis, Win, Place, Show down the other. Buy a square for $1 and we will split the winnings 50%, 30%, 20% -
Pin the Jockey on the Racehorse.
Seriously. -
An un-named game that is a spin off of the “drinking game” where you drink every time you hear a certain word on a show/in a movie. There will be felt racetrack on the wall (looooong wall) with furlongs marked off. Felt horses will each have a common announcer word: “jockey”, “filly”, “colt”, “owner”, “furlong”, “trifecta”, “handicap”, “maiden”, etc. Each person can pick their pony/word. If you are in the room and you hear your horse’s word said on TV, you get to move it ahead a furlong. First to cross the finish line wins a bouquet of roses =]
Get a recipe for Benedict Spread. Use it. 
This? Looks good! http://www.atasteofkentucky.com/shop/kitchen/kentucky-benedictine-spread-recipe.html
Target has some cute plastic trophies in the “cheap” bins at the front of the store. I’m planning to have laminated cutouts of the jockey silks and each guest will pull a set of silks out of a hat. Whoever holds the winning jockey, gets a nice little “replica” trophy with a lottery ticket - because hey, it’s all about luck on Derby Day!
They also have 2nd & 3rd place ribbons as well. I’m also combining Cinco de Mayo and Derby menus, and guests are encouraged to wear Derby hats or Sombreros :yes:
[QUOTE=Laurierace;6263731]
This? Looks good! http://www.atasteofkentucky.com/shop/kitchen/kentucky-benedictine-spread-recipe.html[/QUOTE]
That’s not quite the recipe that I’ve used before. This:
At Derby time, however, we do honor tradition and use a drop of green food coloring to give our Benedictine sandwiches the green hue that is expected.
· 8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
· 3 tablespoons cucumber juice
· 2 tablespoons onion juice
· 1/8 teaspoon salt
· pinch cayenne pepper
· 1 drop green food coloring – optional, unless you are a Kentuckian
Peel cucumber, cut into pieces and whirl in a food processor until liquefied. Drain through a sieve; remember you will be using the juice for this recipe. Discard the pulp. Separately, peel the onion, cut into pieces and liquefy in the food processor. Drain the onion in the same manner as the cucumber and save the juice, discarding the pulp. Mix all ingredients by hand until well blended.
Add a drop of green food coloring to achieve the traditional color Kentuckians expect from their Benedictine. To be honest, I have to admit I do not tint my Benedictine because I find the color unappetizing.
is closer. Be sure you peel and SEED the cucumber, and if it’s not a burpless variety (English Cucumber), it needs to be sliced and soaked in salted ice water for about twenty minutes before you put it in the blender or processor. If you like more heat, you can add tabasco. If you like more cucumber you can add a tablespoon or two of the pulp. Mayonnaise is heretical. Spreadability comes from the cucumber and onion juice. Mayonnaise adds a greasy feel to the roof of my mouth, and this is very clean tasting.
Here are some good versions from the Courier-Journal.
http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/fea04/2008/04/two-benedictine-recipes.html
Hand grated is, of course, closer to the original, since Miss Jennie died long before blenders or food processors. The second of the Courier Journal recipes is probably very close to hers, since people of her era would not have appreciated pulp in their spreads. It makes a wonderful dip, as well.
You can download pps, entries, charts, etc. at www.equibase.com.
I always have my (legal) gambling account open for friends to use if they want to bet real money;)
We always do pools, too (just put numbers in a hat). $1 per horse per race for early races and $5 for the Derby. We split the Derby prize up for the first three finishers.
As an aside the 2012 Kentucky Derby will coincide with the celebration of Cinco de Mayo 
Another source of related party items for the Kentucky Oaks and Derby - you can even have an Official Kentucky Derby 138 Program shipped via UPS Overnight Saturday Deliver. They have such things as Mini Multi-colored horse confetti to sprinkle over your tables or perhaps baloons.
Rather than everyone getting at the door a single horse to root for maybe break the field of 20 into five groups of four horses randomly so that everyone has a better chance to be a winner
Don’t forget to encourage your guests to sing along to “My Old Kentucky Home”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SryB2Cgb-SY
At one of the Derby parties I went to they had the fun idea of having an “auction” of each of the horses starting in the Derby. Some went for big bucks and others were a bargain- it got to a point that in the years of doing this "syndicates " were formed so people could have a chance at the horses they really wanted. The bidding really got up there and if I remember correctly The last time I went the pot was around $1,500.00 which was the “purse” awarded to the winning horse’s “owner(s)”. It really was a lot of fun and brought some people who knew nothing about horses or racing back every year and each time they came in a little more knowledgable about the sport. I heard that last year’s pot was $2,500.00. Oh yeah I forgot to mention that this party is done by my equine vet!
more decorations:
http://www.shindigz.com/catalog.cfm?cat=53646&pageindex=3
https://www.4funparties.com/category/Themes-Sports-Kentucky_Derby?pageNumber=viewAll
I need to reread all of these when I have more time, but some great ideas!!
We titled the invitations a Kentucky Derby/ Cinco de Mayo Doubleheader. It’s going to be tough to party for so many hours!! Ugh. We are CST and expecting people to show up for the Oaks.
Do not, not, not make Mint Juleps, they are Repulsive.
Sounds like a great party, though.
You have to have a Mint Julep.
While I agree most of them taste awful, I did like the ones “The Bristol Restaurant” made when they catered a party for us.
P.S. A Bloody Mary is the drink for the early birds at the track, actually you can get them for breakfast at CD.
[QUOTE=sonomacounty;6272942]
Do not, not, not make Mint Juleps, they are Repulsive.
Sounds like a great party, though.[/QUOTE]
I have to agree…the only way I will ever drink one of those again, is if I’m already completely drunk! Since Cinco de Mayo falls on Derby Day this year, my lucky partygoers will have unlimited margaritas (at least until the liquor is gone)!
If you really want a Derby connection …
[QUOTE=sonomacounty;6272942]
Do not, not, not make Mint Juleps, they are Repulsive.[/QUOTE]
Agreed. However you could serve some true Kentucky “comfort food” burgoo (recipe here) which was French inspired (so a tie-in to Julien Leparoux aboard Union Rags in 2012) and is considered Kentucky’s most famous stew, usually made for big gatherings (such as Derby Day) in huge kettles.
Plus I would be remiss to mention that in 1932 Burgoo King won the Kentucky Derby - as well as the Preakness. He could’ve been a Triple Crown horse (maybe, maybe not) alas he mysteriously was not eligible for the Belmont Stakes because his owners had failed to file the required paperwork.
Image of the horse - Burgoo King here. He was 1923 co-champion 3-year old of the year and had a career record of 21 starts 8-2-3
Ohh I’m going to a Derby de Mayo party and I need to start getting my outfit planned! I will be the only horse person there but I feel the need to go all out!
Luvmytbs: You have to have a Mint Julep. While I agree most of them taste awful, I did like the ones “The Bristol Restaurant” made when they catered a party for us.
Luvmytbs: If you have their recipe (or even a guess at it) please do post.
When we made them, I couldn’t pour it down the sink fast enough.
[QUOTE=sonomacounty;6274783]
… “The Bristol Restaurant” made when they catered a party for us. …
Luvmytbs: If you have their recipe (or even a guess at it) please do post.
When we made them, I couldn’t pour it down the sink fast enough.[/QUOTE]
National Culinary Review - Spirit of Kentucky Cusine
The mint julep is a signature drink at the Bristol Bar & Grille in downtown Louisville, says general manager T.J. Oakley. “It’s a very specific recipe, with 2 oz. of bourbon, and a lot of people use Maker’s Mark . You add the bourbon to simple syrup muddled with fresh mint and serve over crushed ice with powered sugar and fresh mint.”
A silver cup with serving may aid the taste - just like a Moscow Mule needs to be served in a copper cup.
Food Network’s recipe although they have you making your own simple syrup. You can purchase it as well.
