Run for the Roses May 1 Marks the 136Th Running of the Kentucky Derby — One of the World’S Largest and Richest Sporting Events
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Vol. 30 • No. 4 ComplimeNtary Copy april 2010 Florida’s Leading Newspaper For Active, Mature Adults Run for the Roses May 1 marks the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby — one of the world’s largest and richest sporting events. Whether you visit Churchill Downs in person, host your own Derby Day party or catch the action at our own Tampa Bay Downs, this issue of Senior Voice will guide you. For more than 135 years, the Kentucky From the time Kentucky was settled, Derby has been everyone’s race. From the fields of the Bluegrass region were dapper men and beautiful women in noted for producing superior race hats sipping on frosty mint juleps to the horses. laid-back infield crowd who picnic on In 1872, Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark, fried chicken and toss Frisbees, Churchill Jr., grandson of William Clark of the Downs, near Louisville, welcomes more Lewis and Clark expedition, traveled than 150,000 spectators to witness the to England, visiting the Epsom Derby, most thrilling two minutes in sports. a famous race that had been running “Riders up” booms the paddock annually since 1780. judge… From there, Clark went on to Paris, Trainers give a leg up to the riders; where in 1863, a group of racing enthusi- and send them out through the tunnel asts had formed the French Jockey Club and onto the world’s most famous track and had organized the Grand Prix de as the University of Louisville band Paris, which at the time was the greatest strikes up Stephen Foster’s “My Old race in France. Kentucky Home.” Returning home to Kentucky, Clark History organized the Louisville Jockey Club for The Kentucky Derby is one of Ameri- the purpose of raising money to build The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs welcomes more than 150,000 ca’s oldest thoroughbred horse races (the quality racing facilities just outside of spectators to witness the most thrilling two minutes in sports. Travers Stakes being the oldest, first run the city. in 1864). The Kentucky Derby is one of The track would soon become known the jewels in horse racing’s Triple Crown, as Churchill Downs, named for Meri- which includes the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness Stakes. Please See DERBY, Page 2. LocaL action •More Derby info on Page 24 Kentucky Derby Day at Tampa Bay Downs Outside of Churchill Downs, there is no better place to watch and wager on the Kentucky Derby than at Tampa Bay Downs, where the biggest Derby party in Florida has been entertaining fans for many years. The day’s live racing card at Tampa, which includes the $75,000 Chris Thomas Turf Classic, is the perfect complement to the big races at Churchill Downs. Tampa Bay Downs will start off the afternoon’s racing with a special 12-race card. Later in the day the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby will be simulcast with your chance to watch and wager on racing’s biggest day. Mint Juleps will be available throughout the track in the official com- memorative glass. Mint juleps are sold in commemorative glasses throughout the track. Make your plans now to enjoy the Kentucky Derby at Tampa Bay Downs on May Secretariat turned in the fastest time 1:59.4 in 1973 — the only horse to 1. The view of the race on the track’s 30-foot video screen is second to none. complete the 1.25-mile race in under two minutes. Gardening...................................2 Classified.Ads...........................12 Senior.to.Senior......................20 Health.Roundup..................... 4-7 Service.Guide...........................13 Judi’s.Gems..............................21 Living.................................... 8-10 Travel.Scene....................... 14-15 Fishing......................................21 Crossword................................11 Entertainment.................... 16-19 Senior.Gourmet.......................22 Website.of.the.Month...............11 Local.Markets...........................18 Senior.Happenings..................23 page 2 SeNior VoiCe april 2010 FuN SeaSoNal aCtiVitieS For KidS Between the computer, television and video games, it can be difficult motivating kids to partake in fun activities that don’t involve sit- ting and staring. But with a little direction and some good ideas, a child’s interest in more ac- tive, stimulating recreation can be heightened. And all the while, the bond between child and grandparent can be strengthened. • enjoy nature together — For many chil- dren, outdoor adventures can take place right in their backyard. By creating a backyard explorer’s kit or attracting butterflies to your garden by making it critter-friendly, kids can be completely engaged in outdoor activities. Or how about teaching them to make a solar oven and then enjoy treats baked in it? There even are indoor pursuits involving na- ture, including planting everything from flowers to pumpkins to peanuts. • find a Meteor Shower — While there are many natural phenomena children can enjoy, the wonder of meteor shows, particularly how they give children opportunities to enjoy the outdoors at night.look on-line for a calendar of annual meteor showers. • fun in the Kitchen — Generally speaking, any activity that involves eating is going to be appealing to children — and the spring and sum- mer are great times for recipes featuring seasonal DERBY, From Page 1. to win all three races, sportswriter Charles Hatton fruits and vegetables. brought the phrase into American usage. • find ideas online — Finding good ideas for wether Lewis Clark, Jr.’s, relatives, John and Henry Fueled by the media, public interest in the possibil- kids’ activities is tricky. Turn their love of sitting Churchill, who had provided the land for the racetrack. ity of a “superhorse” that could win the Triple Crown in front of the computer into fun in the physical Officially, the racetrack was incorporated as began in the weeks leading up to the derby. world. There are many online resources providing Churchill Downs in 1937. Two years after the term was coined, the race, calendars and ideas for seasonal kids’ activities. The Kentucky Derby was first run at 1½ miles, the which had been run in mid-May since inception, was Engaging sites like www.123child.com and www. same distance as the Epsom Derby and the Grand changed to the first Saturday in May to allow for a theideabox.com offer recipes, crafts and games. Prix de Paris. specific schedule for the Triple Crown races. Visit www.sharonlovejoy.com for gardening and In 1896, the distance was changed to its current traditions outdoor ideas and for information about her book, 1¼ miles. “Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars.” On May 17, 1875, in front of an estimated crowd In addition to the race itself, a number of traditions of 10,000 people, a field of 15 three-year-old horses have played a large role in the Derby atmosphere. contested the first Derby. The Mint Julep, an iced drink consisting of bourbon, Under jockey Oliver Lewis, a colt named Aristides, mint and sugar, is the traditional beverage of the race. who was trained by future Hall of Famer, Ansel Wil- Burgoo, typically a thick stew of lamb and vegetables liamson, won the inaugural Derby. is served from iron pots sometimes 10 feet in diameter. Later that year, Lewis rode Aristides to a second- Gambling on the race is done through parimutuel place finish in the Belmont Stakes. betting at the track. Publisher.......................................Todd Goldman, [email protected] Although the first race meet proved a success, the The Infield, a spectator area inside the track, offers Editor/Art Director ............Matthew Wiseman, [email protected] track ran into financial difficulties; and in 1894, the low general admission prices but little chance of see- Contributors................................. Judith Sabghir Gannon, Ric Liles New Louisville Jockey Club was incorporated with ing much of the race. Instead, revelers show up in the THE SENIOR VOICE OF FLORIDA • EST. 1980 new capitalization and improved facilities. infield to party. Despite this, the business floundered until 1902 By contrast, “Millionaire’s Row” refers to the ex- Senior Publishing and Meetings, Inc. when Col. Matt Winn of Louisville put together a pensive box seats that attract the rich and famous. PO Box 270 • Lutz, FL 33548 Phone: (813) 949-0006 • Fax: (813) 433-5181 syndicate of businessmen to acquire the facility. Elegant women appear in long dresses, big hats Under Winn, Churchill Downs prospered and the and carry fancy umbrellas. Member of the Clearwater, Dunedin, Gulfport, Kentucky Derby became the preeminent and oldest As the horses are paraded before the grandstands, St. Petersburg and Sun City Center Chambers of Commerce Thoroughbred horse race in the USA. “My Old Kentucky Home” is played by the University ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES of Louisville marching band while the crowd stands Todd Goldman .........................................................todd@ggpubs.com the Horses and sings along. Derby participants are limited to three-year-old Deb Goldman ............................................................ [email protected] The Derby is frequently referred to as “The Run for Mary Rikkers .......................................................... [email protected] horses. No horse since Apollo in 1882 has won the the Roses,” because a garland of red roses is awarded Derby without racing at age two. to the Kentucky Derby winner each year. PRODUCTION AND PRE-PRESS Thoroughbred owners began sending their suc- The tradition is as a result of New York socialite E. Potato Communications, Inc. cessful Derby horses to compete a few weeks later in Berry Wall presenting roses to ladies at a post-Derby [email protected] the Preakness Stakes at the Pimlico Race Course, in party in 1883 that was attended by Churchill Downs The Senior Voice of Florida is published monthly and is distributed Baltimore, Maryland, followed by the Belmont Stakes president, Col. M. Lewis Clark. free of charge, courtesy of its advertisers. Distribution area includes in Elmont, New York. The three races offered the largest This gesture is believed to have eventually led Clark Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.