How to Throw a Breeders' Cup Party
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When it comes to hosting an off-track Breeders' Cup party, I'd have a blast with some good company, a six pack (or two) and, of course, access to my online wagering accounts. But if you're trying to elevate your party to a must-attend, kick-butt Breeders' Cup party, then you're going to want to focus on fashion, food, drinks and decor that'll impress race fans and non-race fans, alike.
Here are some tips to help you throw an unforgettable party. In addition to the ideas below, you can find more on Pinterest, specifically under "America's Best Racing Viewing Party Inspiration."
Fashion
If there's ever a time to have fun getting dressed up, a horse racing party is it. And whether the race is in Kentucky, New York or Los Angeles, a good hat is going to be an essential part of your wardrobe. For the men out there, it's a fedora. For the ladies, there are so many options to choose from.
MAKE FASHION A KEY PART OF YOUR PARTY
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
Here are two stores to get you started.
Our friend Christine Moore's Millinery at Camhats.com
Eye. Heart. Me... on Etsy
And since the fall is here - and since I'm the husband of a woman with fine fashion sense - I know many of you are excited to don your boots and scarves. Glamour magazine put together a great way to emulate your favorite celebrity's style at a party this fall. You can check that out here.
Food
This year's Breeders' Cup is at Santa Anita Park, northeast of Los Angeles, Calif. So why not embrace some California-themed cuisine? I'm thinking guacamole, a spinach-artichoke pizza, fish tacos and more. Here's a great Pinterest board with 81 ideas for you to pick from.
Drinks
You don't have to wait until the first Saturday in May to drink a mint julep. I, along with my fellow America's Best Racing brand ambassador Victoria Garofalo, will be hosting our own Breeders' Cup party in New York City and you can bet that we'll have a free-flowing mint julep bar there. Everyone coming associates the official drink of the Kentucky Derby with horse racing, in general. Therefore, gotta have some mint juleps.
HAVE A SIGNATURE DRINK TO SERVE
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
As I did some more research, I came across a few cocktail ideas on a blog written for the 2012 Breeders' Cup. I'm pretty certain these faves from The Lush Chef will taste just as good as they look.
And if you want to keep it simple, you can never go wrong with wine. How about a "ponies & pinot" party? Yes, this creative mind came up with that!
Decor
A good party host knows the key to decor lies in the small details. Here are a few fun ideas for you to try out.
Mix your cocktail with a horse racing party swizzle stick. They're super affordable and a great touch.
ADD HORSE RACING DECOR
Photo courtesy of Amazon.com
This Tip Junkie blog has a few ideas for a Kentucky Derby party, but they should all translate well for a Breeders' Cup party. There are a few great ideas for things you do not have to buy - gotta love the paddock sign and the floppy hat accent.
Finally, you could add a nice accent by stringing a few of these together to hang on the wall.
Design smartly, eat well, drink safely and win often. Enjoy Breeders' Cup 2014!