Kentucky Derby Day: South Florida Style
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Gulfstream is a great place to watch the Kentucky Derby. (Photos by Eclipse Sportswire)
Stuck in South Florida and unable to make it to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby on May 3?
Not to worry! Gulfstream Park will be the “place to be” for South Floridians to catch all of the excitement surrounding this year’s Run for the Roses.
To start it off, for the first time in recent memory, Gulfstream Park will be open for live racing on Kentucky Derby day! Ten races are planned, topped by the $75,000 Sir Bear Stakes — Sir Bear was a local South Florida favorite in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The first race is at 1:25 p.m. ET and the last live race is expected to be run right around 6 p.m., which will give you just about half an hour to get your Kentucky Derby bets in before the big race (approximate post time for the Kentucky Derby is 6:24 p.m.).
With all eyes on Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park will have Kentucky Derby-themed specials and giveaways all afternoon! If for nothing other than tradition’s sake, everyone (of legal age, of course) should have a mint julep on Derby day. Gulfstream has you covered. Mint juleps will be available in commemorative Kentucky Derby glasses all afternoon long.
If bourbon is not your thing, no big deal! Gulfstream will offer specials on Stella Artois as well, also served in souvenir Kentucky Derby glasses.
If you are dreaming about the “Millionaire’s Row lifestyle” for the 2014 Kentucky Derby but are a little hesitant about the price tag, Gulfstream is probably the place for you—Ten Palms restaurant offers a beautiful panoramic view of the live racing action at Gulfstream Park as well as numerous televisions so you can follow all of the happenings in Kentucky. On Kentucky Derby day, Ten Palms will offer an all-you-can-eat buffet to accompany your stylish day at the races. Gulfstream’s Fountain Club, which is located adjacent to the paddock and walking ring, also will feature a special prix fixe menu for the big day.
Ladies, have that special hat that you only break out of the closet once a year for Kentucky Derby day? Been working on some fancy headwear for the first Saturday in May? Come on down to Gulfstream! Gulfstream Park will be giving center stage to a Kentucky Derby-themed hat contest for women. The contest begins at 4 p.m. in the walking ring with a grand prize of $500 to be awarded based upon creativity, appearance, and overall style.
In addition to the events and specials previously mentioned, Gulfstream will also be giving some lucky folks the chance to win BIG on the Derby, so make sure you have your picks for the big one ready.
Approximately one hour before the Kentucky Derby, five names will be drawn and the winners will receive FREE wagers on the big race. Three winners will win a free $50 win-place-show bet on the Derby, one will receive a $100 win-place-show bet, and one lucky winner will receive a free $200 win-place-show wager. Whatever your handicapping method is, you'll definitely want to have that winner picked out so you can fire away on the 140th Run for the Roses.
As you can see, Gulfstream Park, located in Hallandale Beach, Fla. will be your South Florida headquarters for Kentucky Derby 140. Grab your program, your hat, and your lucky charm and head on out to the track on May 3!