Columnist Ralph Siraco: Let’s talk twin spires, juleps to start Derby week

Ralph Siraco

Monday, April 28, 2003 | 10:03 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

It's Derby fever time.

On Saturday, those who couldn't tell the front end from the back end of a horse will become racing fans. For one day and for at least the one race that has become America's most famous, America will go to the races.

The Kentucky Derby is the most over-analyzed horse race on the planet. Between Wednesday's post position draw and Saturday's 129th renewal of the Kentucky Derby, this year's sophomore class of survivors will become household names.

Move over Rover, Mr. Ed's relatives are spending the weekend.

But before everyone gets to know Atswhatimtalknbout to Empire Maker, one should brush up on the important aspects of the Derby. Such as how do you make a mint julep, and what are the twin spires, anyway? So here's some Derby trivia to share at the water cooler.

For nearly a century, the mint julep has been the traditional beverage of the Kentucky Derby. Finely crushed ice, mint-flavored syrup and 2 ounces of vintage Kentucky whiskey is chilled in a julep cup, topped with a sprig of mint. Aspirin is not included.

Juleps have been served in the famous Derby glass, which have been collectibles since their inception in 1938. This year, collectors will be looking for a pair of Derby glasses in particular.

The initial run of glasses for Derby 129, which totaled 100,440, were produced with a mistake in the historical information printed on the glass. The misprint shows 1932 Derby winner Burgoo King as a Triple Crown winner instead of correctly denoting the symbol alongside the name of 1937 Triple Crown winner War Admiral. If you get one of these, you found a collectible among collectibles.

The 1921 Kentucky Derby is believed to be the first time "My Old Kentucky Home" was played during the post parade. Authored by Stephen Foster, the song has been a Kentucky Derby staple, adding to one of the most moving moments in sports.

The first published account of roses draped over the winner came in 1896 when Ben Brush won the Derby. But the famous phrase didn't appear until 1925 when New York sports columnist Bill Corum dubbed the "Run For The Roses" in his column about the Kentucky Derby won by Flying Ebony. He later served as president of Churchill Downs, from 1950-1958.

The trademark twin spires of Churchill Downs have become one of the most recognized landmarks in sports. Constructed in 1894-95 and designed by 24-year-old Joseph D. Baldez, they were created for ornamental purposes atop the grandstand. They recently underwent a comprehensive restoration in 2002.

The largest Derby Day attendance was recorded for the 100th running in 1974. That year, 163,628 were on hand to watch Cannonade win under jockey Angel Cordero Jr.

It is no surprise that Kentucky leads as the birthplace for most Derby winners with 97. Florida is a distant second at six with the most recent being Silver Charm in 1997. You can win a bet with this one: Although California is a big racing state, it has produced only three Derby winners while Virginia has four, with the most famous being Secretariat in 1973.

Empire Maker is expected to be an odds-on (odds of less than even-money) favorite for this year's Derby. Of the previous 32 odds-on choices in Derby history, only 17 have won with 11 others finishing second. The most recent, Arazi -- who holds the record for most money wagered on a single horse at $1,460,470 -- finished 8th in 1992.

The all-time Kentucky Derby wagering record came last year when $79,089,887 was bet and long shot War Emblem led virtually gate-to-wire and paid $43 to win.

A dozen Kentucky Derby champions have gone on to sire winners of the race.

The first was 1895 winner Halma, who sired 1902 winner Alan-a-Dale. Reigh Count won the 1928 Derby and went on to sire Count Fleet, who won the 1943 Derby on the way to that year's Triple Crown. Gallant Fox started his Triple Crown victory with the Derby in 1930 and sired the 1935 Triple Crown winner Omaha.

The last Derby winner to sire another Derby winner was 1990 victor Unbridled, who sired Grindstone, the 1996 champion. Unbridled has a chance to do it again. This year his son Empire Maker is the only Derby horse to be sired by a previous Derby winner.

Now, you can gain admiration at the cooler and win a bet.

So now back to the matter at hand: Who do you like in the Derby?