The #5 sports moment of 2009 goes to the winners of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness because the races were ones for the record books.

The Kentucky Derby

The legendary horse race that kicks off the season and the first leg of the coveted Triple Crown, was eagerly anticipated just like it always is. The ladies decked out in their Sunday best with big hats and the men wore their dapper suits and smoke cigars.  Pioneer of the Nile was projected to win and was ahead of the pack going into the final leg until…..

Out of nowhere, first-timer Mine That Bird came racing up against the rails. Mine that Bird, a 50-1 longshot took down Pioneer and won the Kentucky Derby to the complete astonishment of the racing world.

“He took the lead so fast after the final turn that NBC Sports race announcer Tom Durkin didn’t notice that the gelding took the lead until it had a three-length opening ahead of the pack. Mine That Bird had the longest margin of victory in over 60 years, and was the longest-odds horse to win the Derby in over 85 years” From Wikipedia

The Preakness

Flash ahead a few weeks later. Mine That Bird is all set to race to win the Triple Crown and the world was holding their breath in eager anticipation. What a wonderful underdog, come-from-behind story that would be! A horse racing story for the ages!

And it was! The 2009 Preakness definitely became a horse racing story for the ages It was an amazing underdog, come-from-behind, unknown-little-guy-wins-it-all story! Or rather….unknown little-gal-wins-it-all.

Rachel Alexandra became the first filly to take on all the boys of the Preakness and win since 1924! She even bested Mine that Bird by 3/4 length and dashed his hopes of the Triple Crown.

Another crazy thing about the races is that the jockey who rode Mine that Bird in the Derby, Calvin Borel, was the jockey for Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness. He’s the first jockey to win two legs of the Triple Crown by riding two different horses!

Prior to the Preakness, Borel told interviewers that Rachel was going to win and that he believed she was the best horse in the country.

The videos I selected are really long and i apologize for that. But it tells the tale of Mine that Bird and Rachel Alexandra and how they came to win.

*Stiletto Sports’ Top Three Horses based on Name Only:

I thought I’d be mulling this over until Saturday. I mean, it takes me forever to make important decisions —like what to wear to the David Cook concert tomorrow or what to order off my Chinese food menu I’ve been staring at for three hours.

But to my shock, it took all of thirty seconds (or however long it took me to read the whole list of names) to pick my winning horses for the Derby. It was so simple! There were three horses that just jumped right in front because their names are three of my favorite things: hot men, chocolate and reality dancing shows!

1. Mr. Hot Stuff*
2. Chocolate Candy*
3. Join the Dance

*These two are neck and neck  in my top spot as I cannot live without either. I am allowing Hot Stuff to take the lead in my life, knowing that I have Chocolate Candy to console myself with when if he lets me down.

Top Three Horses Based on the Jockey Silks

I’ve already talked about how The Kentucky Derby is launch party for the Race-Track-Fashion Season. But the fans aren’t the only ones donning their Day-At-The-Races Best. The jockeys sport their official silks to represent their owners and farms. Over the years the jockey silks have become almost flamboyant in colors/patterns and are almost as integral to the races as the Race Day Hats!

Mine That Bird–their logo is a hat! Or maybe it’s a UFO……

Musket Man –there are a few other costumes silks that try, and fail, to look like Super Heroes this year. But this one’s definitely worthy of Wonder Woman.

Pioneer of the Nile –because the crazy color combo is just plain fierce!

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Kentucky Derby Horses & Jockeys

For a complete list of all the jockeys, owners, trainers and all the facts and figures about the horses, head over to The Official Kentucky Derby Website

• Pink = my picks
• Red = other ones I like
• Green = ones everyone is fussing about, the ones favored to win and all that hoopla

1. West Side Bernie
   • Stewart Elliot
2. Musket Man
   • Eibar Coa
3. Mr. Hot Stuff
   • John Velazquez
4. Advice
   • Rene Douglas
5. Hold Me Back
   • Kent Desormeaux
6. Friesian Fire
   • Gabriel Saez
   • why I like it: not really sure, to be honest. I just do.
7. Papa Clem
   • Rafael Bejarano
8. Mind That Bird
   • Calvin Borel
9. Join the Dance
   • Chris DeCarlo
10. Regal Ransom
    • Alan Garcia
11. Chocolate Candy
    • Mike Smith
12. General Quarters
    • Julien Leparoux
13. I want Revenge
    • Joe Talamo
14. Atomic Rain
    • Joe Bravo
15. Dunkirk
    • Edgar Prado
16. Pioneer of the Nile
    • Garrett Gomez
17. Summer Bird
    • Chris Rosier
18. Nowhere to Hide
    • Shaun Bridgemohan
19. Desert Party
    • Ramon Dominquez
    • why I like: it reminds me of Las Vegas, the ultimate party in the desert. And also my friends ET & Ashley, who I would love to visit and party with in Arizona.
20. Flying Private
    • Robby Albarado

*Once again…Stiletto Sports does not endorse or condone the betting on animals. Nor can we guarantee that if you pick horses because we tell you to, that you will win. In other words, if you lose, it’s so not our fault! But if you win, you really should give us half!

Throughout the year there are significant Fashion Trend Monitoring Moments. First, of course, is New York’s Fashion Week, which premieres all the Couture You Will Never Own and projects the trends that you will be buying.  Everyone eagerly anticpates the Academy Awards because it is Haute Evening Gown Premiere Night. And I just learned that the NBA All-Star Weekend is also the Sneaker Fashion Premiere Week.

Kentucky Derby Museum pays tribute to it's long-standing fashion history in their Derby Decades exhibit

The Kentucky Derby is actually the Summer Track-Season-Fashion Launch Party. If you want to know what the Southern Belles, Upper Crust Connecticut Country Clubbers and Long-Island Snooty Socialites will be wearing to the Hamptons, et al, this summer, just tune in to the Kentucky Derby Red Carpet.

Yes, there is a red carpet outside an event that is centered around a horse poop covered dirt track. Go figure.

Race Day Fashion  has become such an integral part of the Kentucky Derby, that they have dedicated an actual museum exhibit to showcase it’s long history.

I remember the first time I was invited to go to the races up in Saratoga, New York. Talk about a fashion 911 crisis! I had no idea what I should wear. Thinking about it now, I have to laugh because becoming “Day-at-the-Races-Chic” is really simple.

First, it’s all about the hat! Don’t waste time and money on your outfit until you find your perfect headpiece. Everything you wear should be made to showcase your hat, not distract from it!

Second, it’s all about the attitude because Track Fashion (not to be confused with NASCAR Track Fashion….) is all classic elegance.

Think….Audrey Hepburn.

Think….Charlotte York in S&TC.

Think….the polo match in Pretty Woman.

Think….Southern Belle meets Upper-Crust Connecticut Country Clubbing Socialite

Think….Kentucky Derby Barbie

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Think….Playboy Bunny & the Girls Next Door?

No, I’m not just making sure you were paying attention! Even the Girls know how to be elegant and chic for the Derby:

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Track Fashion is:

Chic, classic looks that still look fun, modern and flirty!

I have always been a fan of the classic and timeless looks. They always seem to flatter every body shape and their simplicity means you get to wild on fabulous shoes, purses, jewelry and…..hats! Here are some tips and must haves to complete the Timeless Beauty Looks. I’ve also added photos of some really fabulous classic yet chic looks. Click on any photo to get buying info!

• Sheaths: especially with a cinched and belted waist.
• Wrap Dresses. I swear, there is NOTHING more flattering than a wrap dress. They look great on just about anyone and they always seem the flaunt the good while hiding the bad–even if you gain or lose 50 pounds, somehow the miracle dress will still fit!
• Strapless dresses with a-line skirts: another form flattering shape. Pair it with an coordinating cardigan and you are oh-so-preppy-chic!
• Ankle/calf-length dresses: Sure above the knee has the in your face sex appeal, but a longer dress with a slit that plays peek-a-boo with your legs…that’s subtle-hot!
• Pretty in Pink: and all other pastels!  Country Club Colors like pale yellow and pink or baby blue and cream are definitely high-society must-haves.
• Floral: The Ultimate Spring-Summer Must Have –whether it’s the pattern on your dress or the flowers in your hair and on your shoes!

Classic Black, White and Oh, so Chic

Ever notice that you don’t see a lot of polka-dots until summer? Maybe it’s because of that “Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini” song? Summer always seems to catapult polka-dots back into the spotlight, especially black and white dots. I think there is nothing classier than a crisp white and black outfit– sometimes with a pop of color or without.

And there you go! Pretty simple! Stick to the classics in your outfit, and get a really over-fabulous hat and you are ready for the Summer Track Season and the parties!

And as a little girl I thought she was coolest lady in the world because she had so many hats! Apparently this has scarred me for life because to this day, I have a very serious hat affliction addiction obsession.

You know how when the seasons change, people switch over their summer and winter clothes? Well, I live in Florida, I don’t have to do that. But I do have to switch over my summer and winter hat collections. Yes, plural. That’s how many hats I own. It’s scary.

So I absolutely adore the Kentucky Derby because it is pretty much the Hat Party of The Year and it’s the official kick off for the Summer Track-Fashion Season.

The most important element in Track Fashion is not the perfect dress or fabulous shoes; it’s the flamboyant, over-the-top Hat. Keep the outfit basic and simple and rock the biggest, baddest, loudest, frilliest, feather-covered, rhinestone-studded, giant-bow-covering hat that you can find!

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I went online to find a few examples of fun hats. Really, it was only going to be like three hats.

Only you should never, ever, ever, send a Hat Addict onto Amazon to look for Race Track Worthy Hats. HOURS later…I had looked at thousands (literally) of hats and was only able to pry myself away when my eyes started to burn so badly that I couldn’t see the hats anymore. So….there are a lot of hats for you to look at! But if you are like me, you won’t mind at all!

The hats are broken down into:

• Classic & Timeless
  • Black White & Oh So Chic
• Head Turning Colors
• Haughty Haute Couture

I tried to give descripts for all but I may have missed some! You can click on any picture to get all the buying info. They are all located on Amazon.com, because that seemed to be the biggest hat database I could find! Huge love to Luxury Divas and E4Hats because their products were really amazing!

For outfit ideas, check out my What to Wear to the Kentucky Derby piece.

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Classic & Timeless

Crushable Toyo Straw Hat

J’adore this pink and white classic hat. It’s effortless simplicity screams taste, money and high society.

2 Tone Feather Swirl Sinamay Hat

This blue and white hat is more like an artfully gift-wrapped present complete with ribbons, feathers and flair.

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Black, White and Oh, So Chic

First off, I am a huge fan of black and white together, especially in the summer. Second, anyone will tell you that at the Derby, or any racing events, the black and white combo hats provide a hint of elegance and drama.

Glamorous Black & White, Ultra Wide Floppy Hats

Polk-A-Dot Brim Sinamay Hat

The intricacies of this hat are so amazing that it’s impossible to capture them in just one photo.

Lace Downbrim Hat

The official name implies the hat is woven with lace but the pictures detail so much more. The intricate design is full of unique beading and embellishments. The once casual-style hat is now Kentucky Derby ready!

STUNNING BLACK & WHITE TWO TONE CANVAS FLOPPY HAT

That’s right, this fun, funky hat is actually your basic canvas, floppy hat! But instead of just creating another reversible bucket hat, Luxury Divas added a fun twist to the brim to make it stylish and modern.

TROPICAL BLACK LINEN WIDE BRIM FLOPPY HAT

Linen hats tend to grow on trees here in Florida but I’ve never seen one like this around here. And I worked for a retailer that specialized in Florida-lifestyle hats for a while! The added dimensional swirls and fringe take this hat from tradition to funky.

Large Sinamay Knot Center Hat – Black

Snake Print Organza Hat – Silver & Gold

Solid Upbrim Reversable Hat

Detachable flower. Featured are the khaki and plum colors. Also available in red and black.

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Head Turning  Colors

Reversible Wire Floppy JLO Hat

Jennifer Lopez is definitely the queen of the floppy hat trend. She brought the style back years ago and we flocked to it! She has a great collection out now that comes in a variety of bright summer-loving colors like fuchsia, lime, yellow and orange! The burn-out pattern all over the hat makes it fun to wear—but it’s also reversible!

LADYLIKE RED SHAPEABLE FABRIC FLOPPY HAT W/FLOWER

How can you not love a bright red, shiny hat with a flower that you can customize and shape to meet your mood? The brim bends, flips and molds so you can have a floppy hat one day and a derby the next!

Two Tone Shapeable Hat-Orange Flower

This peek-a-boo-pattern hat is fantastic! The summer orange shade would make any outfit pop! But the it’s the fun tropical print hiding underneath the brim that really makes this hat WOW!

Large Brim, Floral Print Sun Hats

These casual floppy hats add a pop of fun and color to any look. It would be fabulous paired with a perfectly tailored summer sundress and really hot, high-heeled sandals!  They are whimsical, yet not over the top and could be worn all summer long! I’ve featured the white and the lime but it is also available in pink, red, black and natural.

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Haughty-Haute Couture

I really thought I was done. I tried to be done. But it was so addicting that I just couldn’t stop looking at hats! And then right when I was about to go to bed, I came across this amazing place on Amazon.com called KaKyCo. Their shop was filled with hundreds of gorgeous headwear unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, most of the hats are actually wool and felt—which is fabulous come New Years Eve but not so great heading into the broiling hot Summer Track Season.

Don’t fret my fellow Hat-aholics, I did find a a bunch of other, non-wool super gorgeous hats for you to check out!

The Church Hats:

My family has never been overly religious but if I was told that I get to wear hats like this, I would be at church every Sunday! And probably Saturday night too!

Blue Satin Church Hat

Animal Print Church Hat

Peach Satin Ribbon & Beige Satin Ribbon Church Hat

Yellow Satin Ribbon Chuch Hat

The Metallic Hats

Winter Wool Felt Sinamay Combination Hat

I did have to throw in this one wool hat because it is just too darling and fab to leave it behind! Besides, it’s a Sinamay (the really lightweight, open-weave material) Wool Combo! It’s like the two balance each other out!

I really don’t remember watching the Kentucky Derby until I was in my early twenties. That’s when I discovered that it was a great sport when mixed with drinking and gambling.

Since then, I’ve been religiously watching it every year, even if I really didn’t know what was going on. All I knew about horse racing was what NBC would ramble on about for the hour or so before the race.

This year, I did my research so I’m going to win big, or at least share what I learned with you. ~Mike Crimmins, Section 59: A Yankees Blog

Kentucky Derby Basics

Starts: Saturday, May 2 at 6:04 PM Ends: Saturday, May 2 at 6:06 PM.
Kidding…. Although, it is considered to be  the most exciting two minutes in sports so don’t tune in late.

• This year is the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby.

• The Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown, which is three races over a month and half, kind of like a really long NBA championship series. If a horse can win all three races in the Triple Crown, it’s a pretty big deal. No horse has done it since 1978 when Affirmed won it all, so there will be lots of speculation if any of the horse can do it this year.

• Last year, Big Brown (yes, he was named after UPS, go figure) won the race. There was much anticipation that he was going to be the won to win the Triple Crown, but that was major let-down. As of now, there are no horses named after FedEx but if someone would give me the money for a pony, I would definitely become the proud owner of NextDayAir.

• The Kentucky Derby race-track is one and a quarter miles around. Over 150,000 people gather around the dirt track to watch it in person. With so many people watching it there, it pretty much turns into one giant party. They even have a Chief Party Officer. I’m still trying to figure out how to get that job.

Of course, it’s more than just partying, there’s also a lot of betting.

Betting*

Just like picking teams for March Madnesss, there are all sorts of theories and strategies behind picking the winning horses. Favorite methodologies include:

• Nameology One of the easiest, funnest, and surprisingly accurate horse-betting theories is placing your bets based on the name of the horse. (check out Stiletto Sports Jen’s Picks based on this!)
• Seabiscuit-ology: You place your money on the horse with the best, coolest or saddest back-story (tune into NBC this weekend and you’ll hear all about them)
• Colorology Place your bets based on the color of the jockey’s jersey.
  
• Statistical Analyzation and Mathematical Calculations: This involves a highly complex form of interpretation involving a lot of stats, research and sucking the fun out of things. It is not recommended.

How to place your bets:

Horse racing betting always looks—and sounds– so complicated and confusing. The first time I heard someone say “I have $200 on Big Brown to show,”  I thought maybe there was some horse and pony show (like a Dog Show….but with Ponies) going on that I didn’t know about. Boy was I wrong.

But don’t worry, the basics of horse betting are actually pretty easy to understand. The Basic Straight Bets are: Win, Place and Show Betting

• Win Betting – You bet on a horse to win, if your horse wins, you win. (Told you it’s easy!)
• Place Betting – You bet that the horse will place in at least the second position. You win if the horse finishes in second or first. The payoff is less, but you have a better chance of winning.
• Show Betting – You put money that the horse will finish in at least third position, if they finish in first, second or third you win. Yup, you guessed it, the payoff is even less.

It gets a lot more confusing after that, they have things like exotic betting, intra-race betting, trifectas and all sorts of other crazy things. If you already know what those are, you probably know a lot more about horse racing than I do. Not really sure why you are even reading this article….

2009 Kentucky Derby Horses To Watch

I Want Revenge

1. I Want Revenge – won two consecutive races earlier this year and considered to be the early favorite.
2. Friesan Fire – Has three wins in his last three races.
3. Dunkirk – He won two races in Florida and came in second in the Florida Derby.
4. Pioneer of the Nile – Raced in three races and won all three of them.
5. Musket Man – Won five out of six races including the Illinois Derby.

Some Fun Story Lines

Friesan Fire brings together the “hard-luck” of it’s trainer and owner. This is third start in the Kentucky Derby for them. In 2007, their horse finished second. Last year, their horse, Eight Belles finished second, but fell after crossing the finish line and had to be euthanasized.

General Quarters is the hometown favorite.

Jockey Joe Talamo, who is only 19 years old will be riding I Want Revenge. He’s been featured on an Animal Planet reality show called “Jockeys.”

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Now, you’re ready to win big money this weekend, or at least know what’s going on during the Kentucky Derby.

*Neither  I, nor Stiletto Sports, in no way endorse horse betting or any of the “methodologies” mentioned here. In other words, if you lose big, it ain’t our fault. And if you win, give us half!