It is Kentucky Derby Day. The most exciting two minutes in sports.

That means Mint Juleps and Hot Browns. The Derby is an iconic event that captures the imagination of horseracing fans, and that revels in pomp, pageantry, and tradition.

A few thoughts on the Derby:

• Derby Day is a unique blend of fashion, sports, and southern hospitality.
• Win or lose, it’s the excitement of being in the Derby that matters.
• If the Derby is just a horse race, then the Grand Canyon is just a hole in Arizona.
• The paddock buzzes, the crowd roars, and for a moment, time stops at Churchill Downs.
• Every horse in the Derby has a story; each one a shot at immortality.
• The track at Churchill Downs holds more dreams than any other place on earth.
• Sipping a mint julep and watching the Derby is an American rite of passage.
• My Old Kentucky Home, the thundering of hooves, the cheering of the crowd. Music to my ears.

It’s not just a race; it’s the ultimate test of grace under pressure.