Kentucky Derby: Cocktail Recipes, Celebrity Betters, And, Of Course, Really Bad Hats (PICTURES)

**UPDATE**: Big Brown was Saturday's big winner, but things did not end so well for second placer Eight Belles, who had to be put down after breaking both her front ankles.

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You only have a year left to plan for the 2009 Kentucky Derby, so here's your guide to everything Derby-related. First up: Drinks!

Everybody's know that the most important aspect of Kentucky Derby day is drinking. Here is the official Kentucky Derby Mint Julep recipe:

Early Times Mint Julep

* 2 cups sugar
* 2 cups water
* Sprigs of fresh mint
* Crushed ice
* Early Times Kentucky Whiskey
* Silver Julep Cups

Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

For some other drink options, you can check out Drink Of The Week, where they have Derby-themed recipes for drinks like "The Crown Of Roses" and the "Royal Stretch".

For ideas on how to serve those cocktails with panache (plus more recipes), read celebrity party planner Marcy Blum's post How To Throw A Killer Kentucky Derby Party.

Now that you're nice and liquored up, it's a great time to start gambling. Place your Kentucky Derby bets here or put all that Kentucky Derby money here. The race's official site also has a great list of websites for licensed and safe wagering.

It's customary to get all dolled up up for the Kentucky Derby, so generally people put a lot of work into it. Have a look at some celebrity attendees who have dressed to the nines over the years:

• • • • • • • • • • Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson in happier times

And, finally, the next best thing about the Derby is the horse names. At times absurd yet somehow regal, there's nothing more fun than trying to make up your own (Swift Pickle, anyone?). For some guidelines on how to name your horse, you can consult eHow's "How To Name A Racehorse".

Curious about the real-life horses? You can check out this rundown of the official Kentucky Derby contenders.

So now you're all set! How are you planning on spending the big day? Think we missed anything? Share all your recipes, plans, and ideas below!

Comments

[PhillyQuaker]

The death of this beautiful , trusting creature is so sad.

The horse never has a say in how hard it will be driven. Poor frail beast. Terrible shame.

Horse racing and dog racing, both should be banned.

[BadCompany]

To all you hypocrites:
Enjoy your burgers while you criticize!

[sarge311]

I'm a vegetarian and don't eat animal flesh, wear animal products or kill any living creature. So yes, I will criticize this blood spectacle. This was murder, pure and simple. This magnificent animal was murdered for sport and money. And all the people who support this cruel and inhumane obsession are just as guilty as if you slit the horses throat. The end result is the same. An animal died for your entertainment and greed.
So if you enjoyed this race, then go choke on your burger of death.

[BadCompany]

This was an accident.

[sturgis54]

OK... having now just watched yet ANOTHER Kentucky Debry end in appalling tragedy for one of these beautiful animals (Eight Belles brokes both ankles and was euthanzied on the track as the winning horse's owners danced and laughed in victory), I vow to never watch another of these events. All these people in their finery -- big hats, fancy dresses, formal wear - -sipping mint julips and placing bets on animals now so inbred and so genetically tinkered with that they are fragile as glass. Last year, we got excited about Barbaro after his wonderful win at Churchill Downs. Two weeks later at Pimlico, all of that crashed around us as Barbaro broke three bones around his ankle. Who will forget the tragic and heroic efforts of jockey Edgar Prado who immediately realized that his horse was injured, brought him to a gentle stop, and leaned against him to keep him from falling? Despite the excellent efforts of the vets who worked on him, Barbaro lived what was almost certainly an awful seven months until he was euthanized. Why do we continue glorifying this blood sport? How many horses must die awful deaths for our amusement? How many jockeys must be paralyzed or killed? Nice win today for Big Brown. Eight Belles paid patrons who bet on her $ 10.60 to place and $ 6.40 to show. Her body hadn't cooled before those folks were enjoying their winnings. Hope everybody had a good time. Enjoy your mint julips.

[theidaexpress]

One of the many 'blood sports' that should be banned--Boxing is another. If the horses were to race on grass rather than a dirt track, not so many of them would break bones. This story is quite sad, I hope that more people realize that greed kills.

[Ajita]

I agree with you that boxing is a nasty sport, in many respects more violent than horse racing, but the boxers choose what they do (at least I hope they do).

[theidaexpress]

A race for the rich, is all I can think. I was unlucky enough to get invited to the Royal Ascot races, and all I found was an overabundance of greed and indulgence. It was appalling! Even when I tried to enjoy watching one race, hundreds of men in top hats came running down the stairs pushing me and others down! I did manage to enjoy a very expensive steak thanks to my friend. But overall watching the rich get richer and a bunch of others wear silly hats, was not my cup of tea.

http://www.theidaexpress.com

[StevenHyde]

I should say the Preakness walkaround, not The Derby,

--Hyde

[StevenHyde]

ET is by far the best value bourbon around. Maker's Mark for quality, and Booker for top-shelf.

Barbaro is indeed a tragic figure. During the pre-race walkaround I saw how overheated he was and predicted either a 30-length win or a complete breakdown. I would have preferred the former. I have been not so enthusiastic about horse racing since the day they put him down.

The Derby is not NASCAR (well,maybe the infield is.) It is definitely an event worth attending at least once in one's life.

--Hyde

[BurtR]

I would like to see a race where stupid, drunk, inbred Southern White, country club Republican women with big hats had to run a mile and aquarter in the mud. I would pay to go to that.

[Ajita]

Thats a bit too bigoted but Im still ROTFL because in my head I see horses riding their backs, whips flailing..........

[BigBlue]

Here in Kentucky Derby Day is a holiday.
Now excuse me while I put on my Derby hat and go to Keeneland and put 10 bucks on Eight Belles to win.

[BigBlue]

Poor girl. She gave it her all.

[sarge311]

And may you experience the same fate as Eight Belles, you enabler of death and cruelty to animals. Why don't you run around a track with someone on your back, whipping you senselessly in front of a bunch of low lifes.

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

Wow, NASCAR on horses with a food court.

[sagopalm]

She reminds me of the old Bugs Bunny cartoon where he sits in a movie theater (I think) wearing a gigantic hat, blocking the view of everyone unlucky enough to be seated behind him.

[KCFreedom]

I'd sure hate to be sitting behind someone with a hat like that. Pay all that money and get all liquored up only to miss the 30 seconds of race because of someones stupid big hat. Should have stayed home and watched it on the TV.

[haimchaim]

I have seen many Derby hats - all very fine hats at the Derby ..
Every one is great ,its a very important event for the sport of
Queens and Kings..

[Agentlady007]

Oh dear me. That hat is awful. Someone tell that woman to read these comments.