How to Host a Kentucky Derby Party (4/20/2005) by PonyExpressGifts.com On May 7th, the fastest 3 year old thoroughbred racehorses in the world will contest the legendary Kentucky Derby, the first jewel of the Triple Crown. This year, the Derby is bigger and better than ever, because Churchill Downs has doubled the size of the purse to $2 million. While not all of us can get to Louisville for the event, it's easy to enjoy the race at home on TV. For a memorable experience, throw a party with a Kentucky Derby theme. Invite everyone…the Derby is a great icebreaker. Here are some suggestions for a great party: Theme your invitations with a clipart photo of horses or roses. It's traditional for women to wear big hats on Derby Day, so if you want a fun spectacle, be sure to include hats as proper attire for ladies in your invitation. In the invitation, let your guests know that they'll be gathering to study the horses, "bet" and watch the race. As of this writing, post time is 6:04 pm EST. Time the party so that guests can have plenty of time to meet, mingle and handicap the horses before the race. About a week before the party, start cutting out newspaper articles about the Derby. No matter where you live, most newspapers start running articles about Derby horses and trainers at least a week prior to the race. Order a couple of copies of the Racing Form from your local stationer. They sell out fast on Derby eve, so make sure you reserve yours beforehand. Make up "betting slips". You can do this a number of ways, but one popular method is to ask guests to pick the first three finishers in order. Assign 5 points for Win, 3 for Place and 1 for Show. The highest point winner wins a prize. Decide on your menu. The Mint Julep is the traditional (adult) beverage of choice for the Derby. There are many recipes for this drink….here's just one to get you started: Boil 2 cups sugar, 2 cups water for five minutes and pour over 8-10 sprigs of fresh mint. Cover and refrigerate overnight. To make the juleps, pour equal amounts of bourbon and mint syrup over cracked ice. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint. This drink is traditionally served in an iced silver cup, but if you don't have plenty of these on hand, it tastes just fine in a plastic cup. For a non-alcoholic Julep, try pouring ginger ale and a tablespoon or two of mint syrup over ice. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig. Food can be anything, but think Southern …fried chicken fingers, crab cakes, black-eyed pea relish, hush puppies, pork rinds, country ham on a biscuit and pecan tarts. To really impress your guests, serve SeaBiscuits™ for dessert. SeaBiscuits™ are peanut butter filled milk chocolates embossed with a racing image of the great Sea Biscuit. They are large (2" long x 1-1/2" wide, like a cookie) and incredibly delicious. Decide on a gift for the winner. Stick with the racing theme and award a horseshoe racehorse and jockey sculpture or a chocolate horse poured from an antique mold. On Derby Day, tape up the racing articles you found on your walls, or arrange them on a table. Get the actual list of starters from that day's paper or online sports source. A great resource is www.kentuckyderby.com. (We recommend you check for any horses that have been "scratched" or withdrawn from the race, and edit your articles accordingly). Prominently display the actual list of starters. If you have any equestrian items, show ribbons, plush horses, etc., use them to decorate. Put out your betting slips and some pens. Put your Racing Forms out on a table. The Derby is known as "The Run for the Roses," so be sure to display a big bouquet. As your guests arrive, explain that they'll be selecting the first three finishers. Invite them to study the articles and ask them to fill in their picks and hold on to their betting slips. Serve cocktails and appetizers, and gather to watch the race on TV. After the race, determine who has the most points and award the prize. Serve dessert and you're finished! We guarantee a great time for all! This article reprinted with permission from PonyExpressGifts.com.   New at PonyExpressGifts.com this month: equestrian tote bags. These large, roomy totes are made of tough 600 denier polyester and will hold tons of your horse stuff. We'll personalize them with a name or phrase for FREE! Horse club managers and horse show organizers, put your organization's name on these beautiful totes. Use them for promotions and prizes! Contact us for reduced rates when you order in quantity. To preview these exceptional totes, just click on http://ponyexpressgifts.com/catalog/ToteBags_001.htm   PonyExpressGifts.com: Horse gifts, horse home décor, horse jewelry. Exceptional selection, personal service, quality merchandise.