Women in big hats, tiny men wearing pink and cocktails full of leaves... it must be time for the Kentucky Derby!
To experience all the action of Church Hill Downs in Florida, Gulfstream Park is about as close as you can get. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, to prepare for the first horses to exit the paddock at 12:30. (Post time is 6:24 p.m.) The race holds special significance to the park as nine of the 20 horses have competed here, including favorite and winner of the Florida Derby, Dialed In
It can pay to get there early- if you're looking to make big money you can enter a drawing to win one of 10 $500 betting vouchers on the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby. But those using the race simply as an excuse to drink mint juleps need not worry. Ten Palms, the signature restaurant, is offering a $35 buffet along with a souvenir glass for those who purchase the staple cocktail.
Some other places to watch around town include Calder Race Course which is claiming to host "Florida's Biggest Kentucky Derby Party" all-day long. They will feature live music, BBQ, food and drink specials, contests and more trackside. While Bourbon Steak opens at 5 p.m. and features half-priced mint juleps.
So whether you are cheering for Fountain of Youth, Mucho Macho Man or Uncle Mo, there's plenty of places saving you from making that trip to Kentucky.
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