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CNN Live At Daybreak
Action Off Track Almost as Exciting as Kentucky Derby Itself
Aired May 03, 2002 - 06:36 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: So are the horses, because they are off to the 128th running of the Kentucky Derby as we have been saying. The Run for the Roses is tomorrow, but the action off the track is almost as exciting as the Kentucky Derby itself.
CNN's Sean Callebs joins us from the famous Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. And, hey, where is your hat? You need one of those big bonnets.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's a good question. That's a very good question. I should have spent more time perhaps researching that aspect of it. But I can confirm what Chad has been talking about. It poured here the last couple of days, but the track looks great right now, the sun already peeking out behind me.
You can see one of the most recognizable sights in sports, the Twin Spires here at Churchill Downs, and the horses are out this morning doing a little bit of training. Louisville is alive this week with the sights and sounds of the Kentucky Derby.
Today, the stands will be filled up for the Kentucky Oaks. That, of course, the precursor to the Derby, but as Carol said, this is all about tradition, and that means those big floppy hats, dropping a couple of bets here and there and perhaps a mint julep.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CALLEBS (voice-over): The distinctive notes ring like a siren serenade to horse racing fans. The Kentucky Derby is all about picking a winner, and in some cases, that has very little to do with racing.
(on camera): Now, does it take longer to choose a horse or to choose the hat that you are going to wear?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, probably the hat for sure.
CALLEBS (voice-over): For the actress known as Kitty Foreman from "That '70s Show," choosing the right look reduced her to a bundle of nerves.
DEBRA JO RUPP, "THAT '70s SHOW": Oh, my god. I fixated on this thing running around going, I'm going to the Derby. I think they wear flowers and hats. CALLEBS: A week characterized by tradition, like spreads, where the only thing healthy are the appetites, flavor along the Ohio, and of course, the Derby drink.
CHRISTOPHER MCDONALD, ACTOR: Mint juleps I think are a given on the day. It's sacrilegious not to drink them, so OK, I will, twist my arm.
CALLEBS: Chris Morris has the lofty title of master distiller, and walks us through the art of the julep.
CHRIS MORRIS, MASTER DISTILLER: I'm just going to put a handful of mint leaves and a teaspoon of sugar.
CALLEBS (on camera): It helps the medicine go down?
MORRIS: Yes, it helps the medicine go down, and here we have the medicine, a couple of drops of Woodford Reserve, the official Derby bourbon.
CALLEBS (voice-over): And muddling releases the flavor of the mint. Three more ounces of bourbon and you have the classic Derby drink.
MCDONALD: They are potent, but you know, I think I'm up to the challenge.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CALLEBS: I had a sip of one of those things yesterday, and let me tell you, it is an acquired taste. But historians tell us the connection between bourbon and thoroughbreds goes back nearly 200 years here; that as early as 1816, julep cups were awarded as trophies to prize winners and Kentucky races -- Carol.
COSTELLO: So how do they taste? Are they sickening sweet?
CALLEBS: They are sickening sweet, and they are also so strong. You know, no matter how long you keep it in that ice, you know, you're talking three shots of whiskey. So you know, they say it should take one hour to drink one of those drinks. I watched a few of these guys yesterday. I think he timed those things in minutes, not hours the way they go down.
COSTELLO: Hey, who is the favorite horse this year?
CALLEBS: Harlan's Holiday right now is the favorite. But that said, if you talk to the handicappers, they say this is a wide open field, perhaps the widest open in years. They say any of a dozen horses could win. Buddha is another one; Medalgia d'Oro is thrown out there.
We talked to the national handicapper for the "Daily Racing Form" the other day. He says if you're looking for a long shot, perhaps Private Emblem." COSTELLO: OK. I'll place my best. Thank you -- Sean Callebs reporting live for us from Louisville, Kentucky this morning. That was fun -- thank you.
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