Summer, 1954. As Louisville, Kentucky simmered, society struggled to maintain ties to the old ways, which had seemed so correct. An air of gentleness existed then. Methods of doing business lacked the tense, high-pressure atmosphere found in northern cities. And a family name meant more then money, for it indicated a status earned though 200 years of Kentucky history. But, Louisville was changing with the tide of people and new industry moving in. To this setting, middle class Dusty Burton finds himself caught in a frustrating web of worries as he enters his third year of college. Fraternity parties, lifeguarding, the Draft, and Communists in America were surpassed by his love for ‘social girl’ Cindy York. What Are You Doing Derby Day? Dusty believed that question and the spectacular Kentucky Derby would work magic as he tried to win Cindy’s love forever. Here is a peek at youth in the 1950’s through the eyes of Dusty and Cindy during a restless year of conflicts. It is a light-hearted American Graffiti type story packed with humor and memories from that ‘innocent generation’.

The history and traditions of the Kentucky Derby, for horse lovers of all ages.--

"To understand the Kentucky Derby is to understand the contemporary American spirit." One hundred and fifty years have passed since the Thoroughbreds of the inaugural Kentucky Derby sprang from the starting gate to race beneath the iconic Twin Spires of Churchill Downs. But the story of the greatest two minutes in sports is more than the pageantry of the horses and thrill of the people who love and celebrate the event. Through the decades, the Derby, like the state that founded it, has experienced profound moments of social, economic, and cultural change. As one of Kentucky's flagship cultural and economic institutions, the Thoroughbred racing industry must constantly reconcile with its past and think critically about the stories that have traditionally made it into the winner's circle. In the right hands, artifacts of material culture related to the Derby have the power to inspire nuanced stories of the past and shed light on marginalized voices in the industry's history. In The History of the Kentucky Derby in 75 Objects, Jessica K. Whitehead sets out to recover the accurate history of America's longest continuously held sporting event and establish a balance between well-known narratives and those that are less widely shared. Whitehead, curator of collections at the Kentucky Derby Museum, gives readers a personal tour of 75 objects from the museum. Her selections place Black, Latin American, and female riders, owners, and trainers closer to the center of the Derby story, spotlighting the contributions and achievements of groups that have played an increasingly important role in shaping the legacy of the Run for the Roses.

Long shots and closers. Secretariat, War Admiral, Citation, and Seattle Slew. The astonishing ride of Mine That Bird. The lovable spirit of Smarty Jones. Trainers and owners. A sea of spectacular hats. A classic mint julep in a silver cup. The break from the gate. Photo finishes. Holding the winning ticket. These are only a few of the things that make the Kentucky Derby the most exciting two minutes in sports. The Kentucky Derby offers a compendium of the legendary horses and rich history, the personalities, and the real-life experience of Derby Day from the backstretch to the winner’s circle. With colorful anecdotes and striking photography, Sheri Seggerman and Mary Tiegreen have captured the rivalries, fanfare, and unpredictability that give the Run for the Roses its allure. The third title in a series that celebrates the nation’s most iconic sporting events, The Kentucky Derby captures the pageantry and the passion of this great American race.

A collection of twenty-three essays that discuss the people and horses that have contributed to the magic of the Kentucky Derby from the years 1875 to 1996.