Can the winning horse take a pass on the hats, the singing and the flowers and just have the mint juleps?
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Kentucky Derby
Dating from 1875, the "Run for the Roses" is held on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs. The race distance is 1 1/4 miles on a dirt track. The fastest time is 1:59.40 by Secretariat in 1973. Maximum number of entries: 20. Purse: $2 million; winner's share 60 percent. Traditions include mint julep drinks, women in flowery hats, a crowd upwards of 150,000 singing "My Old Kentucky Home" and a garland of red roses for the winner. The likely favorite is Verrazano, unbeaten in his four races.
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AP's Triple Crown Style Guide]