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Kentucky Derby 2020: Facts, Spectators, Garland of Roses, Anthem

Kentucky Derby 2020 Facts: Spectators in the Derby

With “significant increases in COVID-19 cases in Louisville as well as across the region,” Churchill Downs announced two weeks before the Derby that for the first time, no spectators will be allowed to attend the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5.

Kentucky Derby 2020 Facts: Kentucky Derby Anthem

Though there has been some controversy this year surrounding the singing/playing of the Kentucky Derby anthem and whether or not it will happen due to the protests likely to be held outside the gates of Churchill Downs, the Bluegrass’ signature song has been a part of Derby history for decades.

A spokesperson for Churchill Downs said Thursday they “don’t know” if they will play the song, which is traditionally performed in the final minutes leading up to the Kentucky Derby race by  the University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band.

RELATED: Current Kentucky Derby Odds: Favorite Tiz The Laws Post Position 17 Handicap

Kentucky Derby 2020 Facts: Garland of Roses

The Garland of Roses, worn by a single 3-year-old every year, has come to symbolize the Kentucky Derby throughout the world almost since the race’s inception. It is 122 inches long, 22 inches wide and weighs approximately 40 lbs. The lining is made of deep green moiré bengaline and features the great seal of the Commonwealth of Kentucky embroidered on one end and Churchill Downs’ logo on the other. More than 400 “Freedom” roses are placed sewn into the garland.

Always Dreaming draped in roses following the running of the 143rd Kentucky Derby (photo by Jordan Sigmon).

The “Freedom” rose – a perfect patriotic red – was named shortly after the events of September 11, 2001 in tribute to the victims, their families and the men and women serving in the armed forces to protect the freedom of our great nation and is grown and cultivated for its impressive bloom size, stem length and lush foliage, longevity and classic rose shape. The “Freedom” rose was chosen to replace the “Classy” rose in 2008. Several different roses have been used throughout the years.

The winning horse will be adorned with the Garland of Roses – the most coveted possession in the world of horse racing – in the hollowed grounds of the Kentucky Derby Winner’s Circle just minutes after the race. In addition, the Kentucky Derby-winning jockey will be presented with the Jockey’s Bouquet, which is made of 60 matching long stem roses wrapped with 10 yards of ribbon.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby 2020 Updates: Baffert Optimistic, Tiz The Law Ready

The Garland:

  • 400 “Freedom” roses from Kroger’s master floral designers are individually hand sewn to the winner’s garland which is 2 ½ yards long, 14 inches wide and weighs 40 pounds
  • 60 matching long-stemmed red roses, wrapped with 10 yards of ribbon, comprise the winning jockey’s bouquet
  • 2,100 roses dress the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle
  • 22,000 roses being grown in greenhouse
  • 250 rose bushes around the facility
  • 12,000 tulips planted
  • 400 trees and shrubs

 

2020 Kentucky Derby Odds and Post Position
PP Horse Odds Trainer Jockey
1 Finnick the Fierce SCR Rey Hernandez Martin Garcia
2 Max Player 30-1 Steven M. Asmussen Ricardo Santana, Jr.
3 Enforceable 30-1 Mark Casse Adam Beschizza
4 Storm the Court 50-1 Peter Eurton Julien Leparoux
5 Major Fed 50-1 Greg Foley James Graham
6 King Guillermo SCR Juan Carlos Avila Samy Camacho
7 Money Moves 30-1 Todd Pletcher Javier Castellano
8 South Bend 50-1 Tyler Gaffalione Bill Mott
9 Mr. Big News 50-1 Bret Calhoun Gabriel Saez
10 Thousand Words 15-1 Bob Baffert Florent Geroux
11 Necker Island 50-1 Chris Hartman Miguel Mena
12 Sole Volante 30-1 Patrick Biancone Luca Panici
13 Attachment Rate 50-1 Dale Romans Joe Talamo
14 Winning Impression 50-1 Dallas Stewart Joe Rocco, Jr.
15 NY Traffic 20-1 Saffie Joseph, Jr. Paco Lopez
16 Honor A. P. 5-1 John A. Shirreffs Mike Smith
17 Tiz the Law 3-5 Barclay Tagg Manny Franco
18 Authentic 8-1 Bob Baffert John Velazquez


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