Yes, The Kentucky Derby Was Over The Top!

The 141st running of the $2 million guaranteed Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY

The 141st running of the $2 million guaranteed Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY

The 141st Kentucky Derby was completely over the top! But don’t just take my word for it. According to forbes.com, there were 170,513 people in attendance, a race record!

Beautiful weather, dresses and hats were the theme at Churchill Downs Saturday for Kentucky Derby 141.

Rockin' #KYOaks @chefmcinnis @ChefJanineBooth @tanyaholland #PinkOut @BeBrightPink @ChurchillDowns #KYDerby

Rockin’ #KYOaks @chefmcinnis @ChefJanineBooth @tanyaholland #PinkOut @BeBrightPink @ChurchillDowns #KYDerby

But my day actually started on the Wednesday prior – I was the “plus-one” for my sister, Chef Tiffani Faison.

She and a select group of other talent chefs from across the country were featured for a pre-Derby event called Taste of Derby.

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On Thursday, pageantry was on full display – PINK OUT – for Kentucky Oaks. Pink is the official color of the Kentucky Oaks and of breast cancer awareness.  They encouraging everyone who attends the Oaks to wear pink or incorporate pink into their apparel to demonstrate solidarity and support for the fight against breast cancer.

There are many traditions that make the Kentucky Derby unique — one is the hats, of course.  Fans fans watched American Pharoah take home the garland of roses in the final stretch. Prior attendance record of 165,307 was set in 2012 when I’ll Have Another won the 138th Kentucky Derby.

Doin' @KentuckyDerby w/@chefkramer @thenosedive Chef #CraigKuhns @offalchris @ChurchillDowns #KYDerby

Doin’ @KentuckyDerby w/@chefkramer @thenosedive Chef #CraigKuhns @offalchris @ChurchillDowns #KYDerby

Wagering from all-sources was the highest all-time on both the Kentucky Derby Day program and on the Kentucky Derby race.

Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby Day program totaled $194.3 million, an increase of 4% over the 2014 total of $186.6 million, and an increase of 4% over the previous record set in 2012 of $187.0 million. Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby race increased 7% to $137.9 million from 2014’s $129.2 million and a 4% increase over the previous record set in 2012 of $133.1 million.

On-track wagering on the Kentucky Derby program of $23.0 million declined 2% from $23.4 million in 2014. On-track wagering on the Kentucky Derby race totaled $12.0 million, an increase of 1% over 2014’s $11.9 million.

Chef Tiffani Faison & me.

Chef Tiffani Faison & me.

Churchill Downs returned $154.3 million to bettors on the Kentucky Derby Day race program. Additionally, purses earned from the Kentucky Derby Day race program approximated $10.7 million that will be paid out to horsemen during the remainder of the 2015 race meets.

More about the history of #KYDerby here.

Long shots and closers. Secretariat, War Admiral, Citation, and Seattle Slew.

Now we're talkin' @kentuckyderby @churchilldowns & SERIOUS #ShoeGame #JimmyChoo meet @DolceGabbana #KYDerby

Now we’re talkin’ @kentuckyderby @churchilldowns & SERIOUS #ShoeGame #JimmyChoo meet @DolceGabbana #KYDerby

The astonishing ride of Mine That Bird. The lovable spirit of Smarty Jones. Trainers and owners.

 

 

 

 

A sea of spectacular hats. A classic mint julep in a silver cup. The break from the gate.

 

 

 

Photo finishes. Holding the winning ticket. These are only a few of the things that make the Kentucky Derby the most exciting two minutes in sports.

Seriously, I cannot wait till next year!

❤️it! @tiffanifaison & @villaraigosa @KentuckyDerby agreeing that he must continue to serve #California! #KYDerby

❤️it! @tiffanifaison & @villaraigosa @KentuckyDerby agreeing that he must continue to serve #California! #KYDerby