With 20 days to go and with the help of the regulars on the Board, having pared my likely Derby bet down to 13 horses (with a pick four bet ending with the Derby whittled down to $8,321,00)the least I could do is offer an interesting history lesson. First, why is it called the Kentucky Derby? As many of you know, it was our version of the Epsom Derby (pronounced Darby for reasons unclear to me), first run on May 4, 1780 (a Thursday)-but where did the Epsom Derby get its name? In 1779, the first English Oaks race took place. The (British) Jockey Club decided to run a similar race for colts. It was decided that the new race should be named after the 12th Earl of Derby or Sir Charles Bunbury, who was head of the Jockey Club. Legend has it that there was a coin toss--won by the Earl of Derby. That is a good thing because the name \"Kentucky Banbury\" leaves me cold. As for the connection to the Stanley Cup, The Cup is named after Lord Stanley of Preston, then Governor general of Canada and the owner of a major stable in England. Lord Stanley was--insert drum roll- the 16th Earl of Derby. Hope this helps on the first Saturday in May!
