Kentucky Derby, Big Hats And Good Food!
May 2, 2026 is the day of the Kentucky Derby, Big Hats and Good Food, which means it is also the fastest 2 minutes in Sports. The ‘Run of the Roses’. The annual one and a quarter mile horse race for 3 year old thoroughbreds held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Derby is the first leg of the American Triple Crown, consisting of the Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes horse races. The Preakness is held in Baltimore, Maryland the 3rd Saturday in May, which is May 16, 2026 and the Belmont is held in Saratoga Springs, New York on June 6, 2026. (Note: This year, the Preakness is being run in Laurel, Maryland due to renovations at Pimlico in Baltimore…., it will move back to Pimlico next year) I’m sure you have heard of the Triple Crown which simply means a race horse must win all three races. This can be very difficult for the horse because all three of these grueling races are run within 5 short weeks. Has the Triple Crown been achieved by one horse? Yes! 13 times! Perhaps the most famous horse to win all three races, in my opinion, was Secretariat. He holds the record for not only winning all three races, but he won them in record times. This may be too much information but here are the years and the names of the all the winning horses. 1919: Sir Barton, 1930: Gallant Fox, 1935: Omaha, 1937: War Admiral, 1941: Whirlaway, 1943: Count Fleet, 1946: Assault, 1948: Citation, 1973: Secretariat, 1977: Seattle Slew, 1978: Affirmed, 2015: American Pharoah, 2018: Justify
So in honor of all these horses, my favorite Derby Table setting uses my favorite Run for the Roses dishes. The pattern is simply ‘Roses’. I started with a burlap table runner along with burlap place mats. I thought burlap was about as ‘horsey’ as I could get. I used silver square chargers and placed the Roses plate stack on top. The flat ware has a knotted bottom which resembles a horse’s bridle. When we were in the horse and cattle business, our tack room was filled with ropes and bridles and all kinds of stable knots and circular items….so the silver flatware seemed perfect. For the napkins I chose a blue and white napkin with a roped edging. To soften, I paired it with a red shear napkin and a silver napkin ring. Of course one has to have a silver mint julep cup and I stuck 3 red roses in each cup. The mint juleps were in the taller mint julep glasses. Also at the table are silver candles in votive cups. The centerpiece is a large gray horse’s head that I have had for years (bought it at Pier 1) and it has accompanied me on all our various moves. I just can’t part with it.
You might ask if I ever bet on the horses which I do not…but I do pick a winner. Well, lets say that usually they are not winners because I don’t use odds or stats to pick my winner…I pick the color of the horse…and anyone who knows me…knows this…. hence my attachment to the gray horse’s head on my table.
Let me explain, My strategy is the color of the horse because it is such a pretty color for a horse. And if there is not a gray horse in the running, then my pick defaults to the colors of the silks on the jockeys. Preferably, green or yellow or both. Yes, those two colors are some of my favorites. BTW, 2026 horse racing tips are at the end of this post.🫣😳
Notice the “winner’s ribbon” I placed on the mane of my gray horse.
The silver ice bucket compliments all the silver on the table that will soon be serving a Kentucky Derby Meal. I know the wine bottle says Dark Horse…believe me if I could have found a gray horse label…it would be sitting in that ice bucket right now. I noticed there were chestnut colored horses on a 14 hands label but I decided my gray would be the dark horse of the race.
And what would the Kentucky Derby be with out a hat? A big floppy Derby hat.
This is the dessert table with the Kentucky Chocolate Pecan Pie. This hat is just waiting for me to put it on as I serve my southern mint tea Juleps. Note the Makers Mark Whiskey in the background.
The Menu is pretty simple and original to the Kentucky Derby. I always start with a fruit, cheese and crackers cheese board. And for the entree…..I always serve Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders. The sandwiches are so easy to make using deli turkey and ham, sliced tomato, bacon and a cheese sauce….but you could improvise with your favorite fillings.
There are so many slider recipes out there these days and most can be made ahead of time and popped into the oven to warm them up. And they are sooooo good.
In years past, I have prepared this same menu and I have to confess that I buy the Cole Slaw from…Yep! you guessed it! KFC. Cole Slaw from Kentucky Fried Chicken. LOL Make it easy on yourself….there are a lot of short cuts one can take and I will never tell if you don’t. My Annual Kentucky Derby Menu is below. I always say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
Kentucky Horse Derby Menu
Menu
Kentucky Mint Tea Julep
Kentucky fruit and cheese board
Kentucky Hot Brown Mini Sandwiches
Kentucky Cole Slaw
Kentucky Chocolate Pecan Derby pie (with Maker’s Mark bourbon whipped cream, if desired.)
I hope you are having a great day and watch the Kentucky Derby on Saturday if you want to watch something short and sweet. 🥰 A 2 minute horse race shouldn’t take too much of your time.
Blessings Always
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Horse Racing Tips:
Renegade is favored to win with Commandment (like the name), Further Ado, and The Puma also favored. However: There are a few grays in the pack of 20 horses…Fulleffort and Pavlovian and Sandman are scheduled to run. My Hot Brown Slider is on Fulleffort as it is a double/double for me…the horse is gray and the jockey’s color is green! 🥰🥰👍🤗LOL. You heard it from me first.
Mint Tea Julip
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 6 mint sprigs
- 2 cups cold water
- 5 cups crushed ice
- 2 1/2 cups of chilled ginger ale
- Lots of crushed ice
- Lemon slices and mint sprigs for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Mix sugar, cold water, lemon juice and about 6 roughly chopped mint sprigs in a bolw and let stand for 45 minutes for flavors to meld.
- Remove most of the mint leaving smaller pieces
- Using two 2 quart pitchers, place half of the mixture and half of the ginger ale in each pitcher and add the crushed ice just before serving
- If you are adding bourbon, this would be the time to add to taste, stirring well
- Top with lemon slices and additional mint sprigs or use them individually on each glass
Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders
Ingredients
- 1 pkg King's Hawaiian rolls
- 1 pkg Stouffers Welsh Rarebit Cheese Sauce (or a slice of gruyere cheese)
- 12 slices Deli Turkey
- 12 slices Deli Ham
- 12 slices Roma Tomatoes
- 6 slices Fried Bacon (halved)
Butter Topping for Sliders
- 1/2 cup butter cubed
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion if desired
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Melt the cheese sauce according to package directions (3 minutes in microwave). Assemble the sliders by slicing the 12 dinner rolls in half and adding as much cheese sauce as you prefer. Add folded pieces of turkey and folded pieces of ham (your way of putting on a sandwich). Top with slice of tomato and two pieces of cooked bacon. Add more cheese to the top before putting the roll top on the sandwich. Brush the top with butter topping (if desired) cover with foil and place in 350 degree oven for about 5 -10 minutes, serve hot.
I love this! Your table settings are so pretty. I actually used to work in the horse racing industry. Justify actually bit me as I was leading a stable tour! I was cheering for Pavlovian as I’m friends with his rider, Edwin and Doug, his trainer but still what an amazing race! Derby parties are just SO fun.
Wow Kari, you pulled out all of the stops for this fun table. The horse centerpiece is so striking. Love the floral plates. How fun to celebrate the derby at home. Your menu looks so yummy. I am happy to feature your beautiful table at Love Your Creativity. happy Mother’s Day.
Kari, your Kentucky Derby table is absolutely off to the races! 🐎🌹 I love how you captured all the classic Derby charm—those rich reds of the roses, flatware mimicking the horse bridle, and elegant details feel like Churchill Downs came right to your table. It’s festive, polished, and so inviting… I can almost hear “My Old Kentucky Home” playing in the background! Wishing I could pull up a chair, sip a mint julep, and join you for a slice of Chocolate Derby Pie. Beautifully done! ❤️
Thank you Mary for stopping by and for your kind comments…You are the queen of theme so I am very flattered. I would love to sip and eat at the table with you…you are a plethora of knowledge…perhaps some of it would wear off on me. 🥰🏇🏇🏇
Thanks for commenting on the Kentucky Derby tablescape on my blog today because it gave me the opportunity to see yours, and it is phenomenal! That horse head is some piece. Like you, I would never be able to part with that. I can think of so many ways in which I could use it. It does make quite a statement. I also love the dishes with the roses. I can see why you would want to set the same table every year. Having done mine, I don’t think I will ever do one again, but it was fun to do. I love that you included a fancy hat, and the cut out of the jockey on the horse is wonderful.
thanks Patti…I was always going to paint the wood cut out of the jockey and horse and silks…but over the years, Ive grown accustomed to it, much like the song from “My Fair Lady”. LOL. Your Derby table was so well done…you might want to think about doing it again.🥰 Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Kari — never mind my message to you on the contact form. I cleared my cache and I can comment again. I’m sorry I’ve missed a couple — it’s not for want of trying.
I love this table, Kari. The dishes are perfect; the hats, horses and ribbons are perfect table decorations, the food looks fabulous and oh — how clever to have Dark Horse for the wine! Every detail is perfection. What joy for you and your guests!
Oh Jeanie you are too sweet to keep trying…I can get pretty impatient when it comes to technical stuff. The Captain gently? reminds me to never rule out operator error! LOL. Thanks for your comments on my Derby table. As I stated, I use the same table elements each year…no imagination I guess but I do love the vintage ‘Roses” dinnerware. Hugs and Blessings.🥰🐺🏇
trying again after clearing cache! test!
thank you my friend.🥰🌸🏇🏇🏇
Oh my word, you are too cute for words! I love how you choose your horse! It’s sounds like a plan to me. Your rose plates are sooo beautiful and your horse centerpiece is perfect. I’d love to be at your party and have a nibble of each item on your menu. Enjoy your fun party. I can picture you in that pretty hat. So fun!
Kitty you are so kind…thank you for your encouragement as it only spurs me on to set many more themed tables! We would love to have you sit at our table. Hugs and Blessings always
Kari, your table is perfect. Roses! Roses! Roses! Wouldn’t think of missing the race on Saturday. My mom never missed any of the three and I remember how excited she always got.
Hugs,
Sandy
thanks Sandy…we will all be watching the Derby together. My mother always watched the races too. I believe I got my love of sports from her. I remember in high school our basketball coach Mrs. Walker, arranged an exhibition basketball game with our mothers. It was so much fun and we girls were shocked that our mothers could even play. LOL. Have a great day my sweet friend. Say Hi to Ron from the Captain and Me. 🌷🏇🏇🏇🍹🌹
Kari, I love your Derby table! The plates are perfect 🌹🌹🌹and all of the details are fabulous! Once again, you knocked it out of the park with one of your themed tables. I remember Secretariat and Seattle Slew winning the triple crown! Wow, the menu sounds delicious! I will take a slider or two and a slice of Kentucky chocolate pecan pie! I hope your horse wins, my friend!
Pam do you watch the Derby? I remember those horses also. I love all sports but I am finding that as I get a little older, I like watching from the comfort of our home. We used to have seasons Tickets to Kansas City Royals baseball, Kansas City Chiefs football and Kansas Jayhawk college basketball and we never missed a game (or tail gating)…but after we moved to Florida we gave all that up…reminds me of a verse in the Bible…1 Cor 13:11. LOL I guess it could apply. I always make the same Derby menu…much like our Holiday dinners, ie: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and 4th of July. So much easier to plan that way. Thanks for stopping by dear friend.
Kari, those rose plates are so striking and perfect for your derby table. Plus I can see why you kept that stunning horse head sculpture. The metal/cardboard (?) cutout of horse and jockey rider is neat too. I once bet at our local racetrack years ago based on the jockey’s silks and won a small amount. Next to all the colorful silks and the race itself, I like checking out the fashion of the spectators.
You are right Jan…the jockey, horse and silks are actually wood cut outs which I have always planned on painting my favorite colors…let’s see…I have only had them for about 10 years so I guess there is still a little time left to get ‘er done…or not. LOL. Actually the little jockey hat has a ‘food spot’ on it so I should probably get the paint out. (I also have a large rooster I need to paint…but it has only waited a couple years, so there is plenty of time) I am terrible…I know, I know. Right now I am gathering up my Preakness dishes…only 2 weeks til that race…Thanks for stopping by.
What an excellent tribute to the Kentucky Derby, Kari! I love all the details.on the table, but especially the flatware! The horse, the roses, the silver – all of it! And the food and beverage are stellar. Great post!
Thanks Rita…as I sat the familiar table this year, my thoughts turned to my children. They do not have my enthusiasm for table scape themes…and I had to smile as I imagined them (when the time comes) looking at each other and saying “now what are we going to do with a large gray horse’s head???? 🐺….Will you be watching the races this year?
Yes, I’ll be watching!
I love the Kentucky Derby and have watched it every year since… Forever!
I always have a mint julep and wear my big hat. And now for the last 4 years we have been going to a Derby Party. It is so much fun!
I love your Derby Table. Your rose plates are stunning. You have not left out anything! Great details and so beautiful!
I like a gray or light colored horse as well. But I do get caught up in all the hype. This year many are talking about the trainer Mark Glatt of So Happy horse. A 15-1 longshot. It is Glatt’s first Derby. He is finally in the derby but only after his wife passed away. So Happy has become a favorite because of the sentimental story.
Good Luck! Hope your horse wins! 🏇
Thanks Nancy for stopping by and I do love a horse race…I guess it is because I have been around horses all my life and raising and taking care of them has always been “fun” for me…(even though it is a LOT of work). My BIL in N.M. actually raised race horses and raced them at Santa Fe Downs (closed now) and Ruidosa Race Track…he raised Thoroughbreds where we raised Western Quarter horses. I read where Ruidosa closed temporarily due to flooding and the horse racing moved to Albuquerque Downs (at the State Fair Grounds on Louisiana Blvd.) As I said…I love to watch but leave my ‘betting’ to non-monetary things and use quirky race tips. LOL
I did read the sad story of Glatt and ‘So Happy’…They finally qualified a month or so ago. I hope they do well.
And we like to have friends over for the TV horse racing…and it is fun to see our guests’ attire and we always have my menu but they bring even more food so it becomes quite a day in racing as we watch all the pre-races to the Derby…The Captain and I have been to Louisville but as we age…I find I like watching almost all sports from home. This year it will be just us and one other couple. LOL
Well have fun!
I don’t bet either except for nickels and dimes on the three horses at the party. lol!