Kentucky Derby Package Background Information

Horse racing has always been a part of Kentucky's history. Organized races date far back to the late 1700s when race courses were being built in Louisville and environs. In 1875, Kentucky Derby was established by Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Kentucky derby is known as the most prestigious Triple Crown events held on the first Saturday of May. It serves as the culmination event of the Kentucky Derby Festival which last for two weeks. The race is a one and a quarter mile race for three year old horses. The horses used for the race are thoroughbreds and are come from around the country.

The ‘Run of the Roses' dates back to 1875, and Aristides emerged as the race's first winner in front of about ten thousand derby spectators. It used to draw men and women in a happy laid back crowd setting who picnicked and gathered to watch the first major horse racing event of the world. As the judge booms out “Riders up” and the Louisville Band begins to play “My Kentucky Home”. Two minutes later the winner is presented with a garland of roses. Today, the race is now known as the Kentucky Derby gathering around 150,000 spectators.

To help you enjoy the event, the Kentucky Derby Package is being offered to provide a memorable experience for the upcoming may 3rd, 2008 edition of the event. The Kentucky Derby package offers an array of activities and tours around the Louisville area. The period of the event is marked with pageantry and parties and the Kentucky Derby Package helps you better experience them all. The package also helps secure seats and book hotels. The packages are offered at various package prices and with different package benefits.