Editing Kentucky Derby (section)

==Traditions==
In addition to the race itself, several traditions play a significant role in the Derby atmosphere. The [[mint julep]]—an iced drink consisting of [[bourbon whiskey|bourbon]], [[mentha|mint]], and [[sugar]] syrup—is the traditional beverage of the race. The historic beverage comes served in an ice-frosted silver julep cup. However, most Churchill Downs patrons sip theirs from souvenir glasses (first offered in 1939 and available in revised form each year since) printed with all previous Derby winners.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sneed|first1=Tierney|title=The Origin of Your Favorite Kentucky Derby Traditions|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/05/03/the-origin-of-your-favorite-kentucky-derby-traditions|website=usnews.com|access-date=July 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024163029/http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/05/03/the-origin-of-your-favorite-kentucky-derby-traditions|archive-date=October 24, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Also, [[burgoo]], a thick stew of beef, chicken, pork, and vegetables, is a popular Kentucky dish served at the Derby.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1961/05/01/581662/bluegrass-bourbon-and-burgoo|title=Bluegrass, Bourbon and Burgoo|last=Fred|first=Smith|date=May 1, 1961|website=Sports Illustrated – Vault|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027061506/https://www.si.com/vault/1961/05/01/581662/bluegrass-bourbon-and-burgoo|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Louisville Clock.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Louisville Clock]] (often called the Louisville Derby Clock), which was dismantled in 2015]]

The [[infield]]—a spectator area inside the track—offers general admission prices but little chance of seeing much of the race, particularly before the [[jumbotron]] installation in 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/article44487432.html|title=Giant screen at Churchill Downs gives everyone at Kentucky Derby a front-row view|work=kentucky|access-date=April 30, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501004812/http://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/article44487432.html|archive-date=May 1, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.churchilldowns.com/news/archive/panasonic-announces-installation-worlds-largest-4k-video-board-churchill-downs|title=Panasonic Announces Installation of World's Largest 4K Video Board at Churchill Downs {{!}} {{!}} Churchill Downs Racetrack {{!}} Home of the Kentucky Derby|website=churchilldowns.com|access-date=April 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501004608/https://www.churchilldowns.com/news/archive/panasonic-announces-installation-worlds-largest-4k-video-board-churchill-downs|archive-date=May 1, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Instead, revelers show up in the infield to party with abandon. By contrast, "Millionaire's Row" refers to the expensive box seats that attract the rich, the famous and the well-connected. Women appear in elegant outfits lavishly accessorized with large, elaborate hats. Following the [[Call to the Post]] played on bugle by Steve Buttleman, as the horses start to parade before the grandstands, the [[University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band]] plays [[Stephen Foster]]'s "[[My Old Kentucky Home]]" sung by the [[University of Louisville Cardinal Singers]], except 2020 when the song is played on bugle by Steve Buttleman. This song is a tradition which began in 1921.<ref>{{cite web|title=My Old Kentucky Home|url=http://www.kentuckyderby.com/experience/traditions/song-my-old-kentucky-home|access-date=April 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503193241/http://www.kentuckyderby.com/experience/traditions/song-my-old-kentucky-home|archive-date=May 3, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>The event attracts spectators from a large area, flying in hundreds of private aircraft to [[Louisville International Airport]].<ref name="ain2015-05-05">{{cite news |first=Curt |last=Epstein |url=http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2015-05-05/derby-boxing-match-fuel-atlantics-best-day-ever |title=Derby, Boxing Match Fuel Atlantic's Best Day Ever |work=Aviation International News |date=May 5, 2015 |access-date=May 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509012421/http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2015-05-05/derby-boxing-match-fuel-atlantics-best-day-ever |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Derby is frequently referred to as "''The Run for the Roses''", because a lush blanket of 554 red [[rose]]s is awarded to the Kentucky Derby winner each year.<ref name="Tran">{{cite news |last=Tran |first=Daniel |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/betting/horse-racing/news/2022-kentucky-derby-traditions-food-drinks-and-other-iconic-customs-for-derby-day |title=2022 Kentucky Derby: Traditions, food, drinks and other iconic customs for Derby Day |date=May 5, 2022 |work=[[NBC Sports]] |access-date=May 29, 2024 |archive-date=May 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530035044/https://www.nbcsports.com/betting/horse-racing/news/2022-kentucky-derby-traditions-food-drinks-and-other-iconic-customs-for-derby-day |url-status=live }}</ref> New York sports columnist and future Churchill Downs president [[Bill Corum]] in 1925 began describing the race thusly,<ref name="Rossingh" /> but the tradition originated in 1883 when New York City socialite [[Evander Berry Wall|E. Berry Wall]] presented roses to ladies at a post-Derby party. The Churchill Downs founder and president, Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., attended that event. This gesture is believed to have led Clark to the idea of making the rose the race's official flower. However, it was not until 1896 that any recorded account referred to draping roses on the Derby winner.<ref name="Tran" /> The [[Governor of Kentucky]] and the Chairman of [[Churchill Downs Incorporated]] present the garland and the [[Kentucky Derby Trophy]] to the winner. Pop vocalist [[Dan Fogelberg]] composed the song "[[Run for the Roses (song)|Run for the Roses]]", released in time for the 1980 running of the race.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dan Fogelberg Prodigy Chat transcript Treehouse.org|url=http://www.treehouse.org/fogelberg/intview7.html|access-date=October 16, 2014|archive-date=March 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150307152529/http://www.treehouse.org/fogelberg/intview7.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Riders Up! ===
"Riders Up!" is the traditional command from the Paddock Judge for jockeys to mount their horses in advance of the upcoming race. Since 2012, the grand marshal recites this phrase.

'''Grand marshals'''
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* 2025: [[Simone Biles]]
* 2024: [[Martha Stewart]]
* 2023: [[Patrick Mahomes]]
* 2022: [[Jack Harlow]]
* 2021: [[D. Wayne Lukas]]
* 2020: ''No grand marshal due to COVID-19 pandemic''
* 2019: [[Baker Mayfield]]
* 2018: [[Laila Ali]]
* 2017: [[Jeff Bridges]]
* 2016: [[Sean Payton]]
* 2015: [[Teddy Bridgewater]]
* 2014: [[Julius Erving]]
* 2013: [[Charlie Strong]]
* 2012: [[John Calipari]]
}}

===National Anthem performers===
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* 2025: [[Grace Potter]]
* 2024: [[Wynonna Judd]] (accompanied by drummer and husband Cactus Moser)
* 2023: [[Carly Pearce]]
* 2022: [[Brittney Spencer]]
* 2021: [[Tori Kelly]]
* 2019: [[Jennifer Nettles]]
* 2018: [[Pentatonix]]
* 2017: [[Harry Connick Jr.]]
* 2016: [[Lady Antebellum]]
* 2015: [[Josh Groban]]
* 2014: [[Jo Dee Messina]]
* 2013: [[Martina McBride]]
* 2012: [[Mary J. Blige]]
* 2011: [[Jordin Sparks]]
* 2010: [[Rascal Flatts]]
* 2009: [[LeAnn Rimes]]
}}

=== Festival ===
{{Main|Kentucky Derby Festival}}
In the weeks preceding the race, numerous activities took place for the [[Kentucky Derby Festival]]. [[Thunder Over Louisville]]—an airshow and fireworks display—generally begins the festivities in earnest two weeks before the Derby.