The Harbor Hills Ladies Charity Hosts A Kentucky Derby Fundraiser By Nikki Hoffman
The popularity of America’s most prestigious horse race, the Kentucky Derby, is filled with excitement and tradition. The event has become synonymous with Southern culture and Americana. It is held on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. This year, Saturday, May 3rd, will mark the 151st running of this celebrated event.
Known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” this event boasts a rich history. In 1872, Meriwether Lewis Clark, a prominent resident of Louisville, was inspired after attending the Epsom Derby in England. Upon returning to the States, Clark organized a group of local race enthusiasts and established the Louisville Jockey Club. The club raised funds to build a racetrack in Louisville. It opened on May 17, 1875, and the first Kentucky Derby was held. The winner was a three-year-old thoroughbred named Aristides.
Millions of dollars are wagered on favorite contenders. In 1973, a stallion named Secretariat set a record-breaking time of 1:59:40. In one astonishing season, Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. He became the first horse in twenty-five years to win the Triple Crown.
The Harbor Hills Ladies Charity will host a Kentucky Derby fundraiser at Grand Oaks Resort on Saturday, May 3rd. It will feature live racing, games, and chance drawings. Ladies will compete for the most outlandish hat. Men will compete in an unconventional tie contest! Sandwiches, sliders, and cheesecake bites are on the menu. Drinks are available at the cash bar.
Tickets for Harbor Hills residents and their guests are $50 per person and are due at the time of reservation. Net proceeds will be donated to underserved children and families in Lake County. For ticket information, contact Becky Hanner at 352-391-0477 or Sue Hritz at 352-630-9409. Thanks to the caring ladies of the Charity for their year-round efforts to raise funds to benefit those in need.