What is the appeal of the Kentucky Derby?

[smahala1991]

To me a bunch of people get dressed up so horses can have one lap around the track. Most of the time those horses end up in a bottle of glue or in a fast food meal 😂😂

[MrOracle]

The appeal is that it's a very old and very traditional event from LONG before there were modern entertainment alternatives, and it became a social event for the well-off to be SEEN attending and partying in exclusive parties and rubbing elbows with celebrities and other important people. The race itself is pretty incidental for a lot of people who attend - it's far more about raising their own social standing.

Then, of course, there ARE people who care about the race - mostly because of gambling. The KD has long been a major gambling event, to the extent that a lot of people save up to be able to gamble on it (and risk more money then they would otherwise).

If you don't run in those crowds and you aren't a gambler, then, yeah, we have plenty of better entertainment options available to us today. 100 years ago? Not so much.

[Fireguy17]

Somehow they were able to make a huge event ot of a 2 minute horse race, so now it attracts the she she Foo Foo members of society, a place where you come to be seen.
Yawn

[meetkitty123]

I don't find it entertaining. I got teed off when a nurse told my family member who has a gambling problem that the Kentucky Derby was on I really grinded my teeth and try not to chew her head off after all she didn't know he has a gambling problem.

[Guardian45]

Ofc. Take her aside and tell her for the future.

[WhitneySnow]

It’s fun to watch and you can party while you watch it

[MrtoddsWildRide]

I live in Louisville so for the people here it’s the tradition of it. The city sees this as our day to shine and we try to do it. The race, however is really just an excuse for the party.

[smahala1991]

I went to Louisville 3 years ago and it was a beautiful place

[DaveToo]

Competition of million dollars worth of horses, from millions of dollars worth of stables, promoting billions of dollars in bets on who will be the winner, only the rich play in this venue.

[Phoenix98]

Racing, drinking n gambling.

thats the appeal.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Yeah sad when them horses are used a little bit of time then end up deceased

[888theGreat]

It is many races and it is 1/3 of Triple crown. It is drinking and betting and throwing money away. It is also a social event

[Likes2drive]

It’s the action and the betting on them for money is pretty much why

[In_Trance]

Don't think for a second that British imperialism has less than 100% control over America

[DuskEmbrace_X]

The funny hats and the bourbon.

[beebella]

The gambling aspect of it.

[smahala1991]

In that case my money is on Crispy chicken sandwich 😂

[smahala1991]

But I bet on Purina Cat Chow to show

[beebella]

😂😂

[Redstang88]

Horse people are crazy 🤷‍♂️

[Jackblue]

Horse meat is illegal.

[legalboxers]

alcohol.. the hats... the south...

[msc545]

Sad.