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The 138th running of the Kentucky Derby is this Saturday and while it’s been called the most exciting two minutes in sports — it can also be said to be the shortest sporting event in the world.
So how do you stretch two minutes into a day-long event? Wear silly hats and drink a lot of bourbon, of course!!!
While it may be too late to grab a flight to Louisville, there are plenty of places to party right here in Miami, complete with mint juleps, hats, and southern bites.
At 6:24 p.m. (Derby post time for the uninitiated), make sure you have a silver cup in hand to toast the big race — just make sure you don’t blink or you’ll miss it!
Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
Yardbird’s “run chicken, run” slogan is changing to “run baby, run” for one day
only, as the southern-styled restaurant celebrates Derby day with
all-day drink specials featuring the Kentucky rose ($9) and Yardbird
mint julep ($10), both crafted with Makers Mark Kentucky bourbon. A
special Derby menu featuring lettuce wraps ($4), barbecue spiced hominy ($5),
fried pickle jar ($6), and grilled and chilled hangar steak bites ($11)
will be offered all day. Don’t forget the big hat, because Yardbird is
giving out prizes for the best Derby day fashion. Of course, a live
broadcast of the race at 6:24 p.m. is the highlight of the day.
Calder Race Course
Each year, Calder Race Course holds “Florida’s Biggest Kentucky Derby
Party.” Starting at noon, guests can bet on both live racing at the
track (first post is at 12:55 p.m.) and the Derby itself. Calder will
entertain guests with live music and a Derby day hat contest. Wear your
most outrageous head frock, because prizes will be awarded for the most
stylish, most unique, biggest, and best overall. When you’re hungry,
there’s barbecue track side, and two different buffet options. The fourth
floor clubhouse will offer a $25 buffet, and the fifth floor turf club
will feature a buffet of “Derby classics” for $37.95 per person.
Gulfstream Racetrack
Gulfstream
is having a mega party for Derby day, starting at 10:30 a.m. $5 mint
juleps and margaritas (as a nod to Cinco de Mayo) will be served in
special souvenir Derby glasses, and a women’s Derby Hat Contest in the
Breezeway Bar at 3 p.m. will offer a grand prize of a
pair of Christian Louboutin shoes along with a bottle of Dom Perignon
for the best hat. Throughout the day, the track will be holding drawings
for free Derby merchandise. Tickets to watch the Derby are $10 for the
Silks TV Carrel and $5 for the Standard Carrel. Call 954-457-6201 to purchase tickets.
Bourbon Steak
From 5 to 7 p.m. enjoy $5 mint juleps, drink specials on signature cocktails,
and free canapes. The race will be broadcast live on Bourbon Steak’s
flat screens. Click here for all the details and a recipe to make your own mint julep.
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