Pass the Mint Julep–it’s Kentucky Derby Time!

If there was ever a better excuse to wear a huge hat, speak with a southern drawl, and get loaded on mint juleps than the Kentucky Derby than why on earth did it end?

On Saturday in Lexington, Kentucky, a field of the best three-year old thoroughbreds in the world will partake in one of the oldest sports known to mankind—a horse race. It was back in 1875 that horses first started to descend on the 1 ¼ mile track known as Churchill Downs to prove who is faster. 

Fast forward to 2012 and the race known as the Kentucky Derby (the first leg of the Triple Crown) will be run for the 138th time cementing its place in American culture as one of the most iconic events and largest with upwards of 140,000 people in attendance.  

A series of races are actually held throughout the day, but the one that everyone comes for is held at 6:23 PM ET. Even if you are not a fan of horse racing you have to appreciate the names that the owners are able to come up with. The following are the names of this year's field:

Alpha, Bodemeister, Creative Cause, Daddy Long Legs, Daddy Nose Best, Done Talking, Dullahan, El Padrino, Gemologist, Hansen, I'll Have Another, Liason, My Adonis, Optimizer, Prospective, Rousing Sermon, Sabercat, Take Charge Indy, Trinniberg, Union Rags, and Went the Day Well

Two minutes. Two million dollars (for the owner). A blanket of roses (for the horse).

Oh yeah. Pass the mint julep.

(Want to see the 137th Kentucky Derby? Click play!)

Article by Travis Pulver