Oh, the Mint Julep! One of my favorite traditions of the Kentucky Derby. It is beautiful, yet strong with a touch of grit, truly horse racing in a glass. Julep is Persian for “rose water”, so it is fitting that this cocktail is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. I actually use the mint julep to help determine my wagering strategies for the big day. No, I know what you’re thinking! I don’t just knock a couple back and give it a go!
Mint juleps are comprised of four main ingredients and the perfect drink requires the right balance of these ingredients. Enter the exotic wager! I tell all of my friends that they have to do some exotic tickets for the Derby. There is too much value not to! If you think about it, putting together your exotic ticket is really no different than balancing the ingredients of that wonderful bourbon concoction. So let’s apply a little bit of mixology to this year's field.
MAIN INGREDIENT: BOURBON
Without bourbon, you have nothing! It is the centerpiece of the entire drink and also the most powerful! J The horses that are the “bourbon” to my exotic ticket are the class of the field and my main contenders. I will key them and use them at the top of my ticket. These are my contenders for the win. Prior to the post draw, the horses that fall into this category for me are: Dortmund, American Pharoah, Frosted and Firing Line
INGREDIENT #2: SIMPLE SYRUP
The simple syrup compliments the bourbon nicely. It brings the sweetness to this drink and we all like to sweeten the pot, don’t we?! The horses in this category are important players in the race but should have some moderate odds. It will sweeten your wager to have these guys on your ticket. Right now this group includes: Mubtaahij, Carpe Diem, Materiality and International Star
INGREDIENT #3: FRESH MINT
Ah, so refreshing especially on a warm spring day, just like the taste of cashing a ticket with someone from this group on it. These runners may see their dream muddled mid race, but should make it interesting. You don’t want to go too heavy on the mint as it may leave you with a bitter taste, so don’t bet the house on these guys. These runners are simply there to compliment at a long price: Tencendur, Danzig Moon, Keen Ice, Far Right and Stanford
FINAL INGREDIENT: CRUSHED ICE
Key word is crushed! As the drink sits in the sun, the ice quickly melts away just like this group of runners. They may be there early in the race, but at the end their Derby dreams will probably be crushed. Try not to water down your ticket with these pretenders: Ocho Ocho Ocho, Mr. Z, Bolo, Itsaknockout, War Story, El Kabeir and Upstart
So now that the ingredients are sorted out, you can make your ticket as strong or weak as you want to. I am looking forward to the post draw on Wednesday before I make my “drinks” but you got to start somewhere when trying to figure out this very talented field! It certainly is a great week to be a fan and handicapper as happy hour quickly approaches!
