When the Kentucky Derby was postponed in 2020 due to COVID, bourbon brand Old Forester resurrected a replacement.
The Kentucky Turtle Derby first pitted terrapin against terrapin in a super slow shell-to-shell race in 1945, when the regular Kentucky Derby was postponed due to World War II. Thanks to Old Forester, the reptile race returned in 2020 to take the place of the vaunted horse race — only the second time in history the Kentucky Derby wasn’t run on the first Saturday in May.
This May 7, the third-annual Kentucky Turtle Derby is back.
Even though the horses are ready to run at Churchill Downs for the “fastest two minutes in sports,” fans can catch the “slowest two minutes” on Old Forester’s YouTube at 4 p.m. The bourbon brand says the turtle race will also be broadcast “in more than 10,000 bars and restaurants nationwide (via Atmosphere TV)” and streamed on “the Big Board at Churchill Downs — a TV the size of three NBA basketball courts — for more than 150,000 at the track for the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby.”
“Eight turtles will make their way to the starting gate, with ‘Hiding in Plain Sight’ the morning line favorite at 5-1. Longshots include ‘Out of the Bog’ (50-1) and ‘Snappy and You Know It’ ( 35-1),” per Old Forester. And, if you’re into that kind of thing, you can also bet on the race via DraftKings.
Watch the race on YouTube and follow Old Forester on Facebook at facebook.com/oldforester for more info.
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Old Forester Hosting ‘Slowest Eight Minutes in Sports’ Turtle Derby on YouTube
This article appears in Apr 20 – May 3, 2022.