While the Kentucky Derby has been postponed for just the second time in the race's lavishly-hatted and mint-juleped 146 years, you don't need to wait until Sept. 5 to get a taste of tradition.
When the Derby was delayed for its first and only other time in 1945 during World War II — and moved from the standard Saturday in May to June — an electrifying head-to-head competition involving animal adversaries was still held on the original date: a turtle race.
Yes, a race featuring the notoriously slow and shelled reptiles took the place of the horse derby.
And the Kentucky Turtle Derby is back again this year, hosted by Old Forester bourbon.
Starting at 7 p.m. on May 2 (the original date of this year's Kentucky Derby), fans can tune in to the Old Forester YouTube channel to catch the Slowest Eight Minutes in Sports. Eight turtles will be facing off in a crawl, which begins at 7:05 p.m.
And they have spared no expense.
Triple Crown horse racing announcer Larry Collmus will be calling the turtle race remotely, and Churchill Downs race bugler Steve Buttleman will be playing for viewers from his home prior to the event.
Old Forester says pre-race odds will also be announced before the turtles take their marks. And anyone 21 and up is invited to enjoy an Old Forester Mint Julep (they have a $5 off Drizly code: “Old Forester") at home.
You can also donate to the Hospitality Industry Emergency Relief Fund before/after/while watching and Old Forester's parent company, Brown-Forman, will match donations up to $100,000.
