Participate in the Triple Crown Hat Hunt in Second Life!
Visit the website for LMs and hints. http://cubbyholehunts.wordpress.com/
About the Triple Crown of Racing:
The Kentucky Derby - May 3 - Red Roses
Outside of royal weddings, this may be the most high hat day of the year.
from Wikipedia:
In addition to the race itself, a number of traditions play a large role in the Derby atmosphere. The mint julep, an iced drink consisting of bourbon, mint and a sugar syrup, is the traditional beverage of the race. The historic drink can be served in an ice-frosted silver julep cup, but most Churchill Downs patrons sip theirs from souvenir glasses (first offered in 1939 and available in revised form each year since) printed with all previous Derby winners. Also, burgoo, a thick stew of beef, chicken, pork and vegetables, is a popular Kentucky dish served at the Derby.
The Derby is frequently referred to as "The Run for the Roses," because a lush blanket of 564 red roses is awarded to the Kentucky Derby winner each year. The tradition originated in 1883 when New York socialite E. Berry Wall presented roses to ladies at a post-Derby party that was attended by Churchill Downs founder and president, Col. M. Lewis Clark. This gesture is believed to have led Clark to the idea of making the rose the race's official flower. However, it was not until 1896 that any recorded account referred to roses being draped on the Derby winner. The Governor of Kentucky awards the garland and the trophy. Pop vocalist Dan Fogelberg composed the song "Run for the Roses" which was released in time for the 1982 running of the race.
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The Preakness - May 17 Black Eyed Susans
Just after the horses for the Preakness are called to the post, the audience is invited to sing "Maryland, My Maryland", the official state song of Maryland. Traditionally, the Baltimore Colts' Marching Band led the song from the infield.[8] Today, the United States Naval Academy Glee Club leads the song.[9]
As soon as the Preakness winner has been declared official, a painter climbs a ladder to the top of a replica of the Old Clubhouse cupola. The colors of the victorious owner's silks are applied on the jockey and horse that are part of the weather vane atop the infield structure. The practice began in 1909 when a horse and rider weather vane sat atop the old Members' Clubhouse, which was constructed when Pimlico opened in 1870. The Victorian building was destroyed by fire in June 1966. A replica of the old building's cupola was built to stand in the Preakness winner's circle in the infield.[10]
A blanket of yellow flowers daubed with black lacquer to recreate the appearance of a black-eyed Susan[11] (see Winning) is placed around the winning horse's neck at this time,[12] and a replica of the Woodlawn Vase is given to the winning horse's owner.
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The Belmont Stakes - June 7 - White Carnations
The Belmont Stakes is traditionally called "The Test of The Champion" or "Run for the Carnations" because the winning horse is blanketed with white carnations. Through 1996, the post parade song was "Sidewalks of New York". From 1997 to 2009, the audience was invited to sing the "Theme from New York, New York" following the call to the post. In 2010, the song was changed to a solo version of Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind"[4] before reverting to "Theme from New York, New York" for 2011[5] through the present. This tradition is similar to the singing of the state song at the post parades of the first two Triple Crown races: "My Old Kentucky Home" at the Kentucky Derby and "Maryland, My Maryland" at the Preakness Stakes.[2]
Despite the fact that the Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the Triple Crown races, its traditions have been more subject to change. The switch of theme song from "The Sidewalks of New York" to "New York, New York" was an attempt to appeal to younger fans.[6] That same year the official drink was also changed, from the "White Carnation" to the "Belmont Breeze."[7] The New York Times reviewed both cocktails unfavorably, calling the Belmont Breeze "a significant improvement over the nigh undrinkable White Carnation" despite the fact that it "tastes like a refined trashcan punch."[8]
More longstanding traditions are the trophy and blanket of flowers. The winning owner is ceremonially presented with the silver winner's trophy, designed by Paulding Farnham for Tiffany and Co. It was first presented to August Belmont, Jr. in 1896 and donated by the Belmont family for annual presentation in 1926. The winning horse is draped with a blanket of white carnations after the race, in similar fashion to the blanket of roses and black-eyed susans for the Derby and Preakness, respectively.
