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Celebrate The Kentucky Derby, Chicago-Style

Ring in the Kentucky Derby, Chicago style. We've rounded up Derby events, hats and news to help get you in the spirit.
Arlington Park
(credit: www.arlingtonpark.com)

Get In On The Action: Arlington Park

Arlington Park
2200 Euclid Avenue
Arlington Heights, IL 60006
www.arlingtonpark.com

Arlington Park is home to one of Chicagoland's best parties of the year. The annual celebration of the Kentucky Derby on May 7th---and you don't need to go to Kentucky to be part of it!

Derby Day is all about world famous Mint Juleps, signature drinks, live music, and a chance to watch and bet on the Kentucky Derby—the most exciting two minutes in sports!

The first 2,500 to buy Derby tickets on line will receive a Kentucky Derby Glass. (Must bring ticket to redemption to counter in paddock to receive glass)

Arlington Park is also offering a few specialty packages that are sure to be an extraordinary experience for everyone on Derby Day.

Derby Party Zone:
New on Derby Day this year is the Derby Party Zone, an exclusive red carpet experience with an all inclusive food and drink package. It'll be all about fashion, food, and fun in the exclusive Derby Party Zone.

Mother's Day:
The festivities continue Sunday with the annual Mother's Day celebration at Arlington Park, May 8th. With a variety of dining options, drink specials and a petting zoo for kids -- this is your chance to give Mom memories to last a lifetime.

Chicago q Derby Party
(credit: www.chicagoqrestaurant.com)

Chicago Derby Events: Chicago q

Chicago q
1160 North Dearborn Street

Chicago, IL

312.642.1160

www.chicagoqrestaurant.com

In celebration of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 7, Chicago q will open at 10:00AM and will be showing the televised race. Derby fans can look forward to exciting specials all day, including $5 Mint Juleps and $10 Bourbon Flights, $5 Derby Pie, $5.95 Deviled Egg Flights and $7.95 Smoked Ham Sliders created by Chef/Partner Lee Ann Whippen.
Wear your finest Derby hat and the winner of the "Best Hat of the Day" will be voted on via Facebook and will receive a $100 gift card and a gift basket of Chicago q's house-made sauces, rubs and pickles.

The Pony Kentucky Derby Party
(credit: www.theponychicago.com)

Chicago Derby Events: The Pony

The Pony
1638 W. Belmont
Chicago, IL 60657
773.828.5055
www.theponychicago.com

Head to The Pony for all of your Kentucky Derby festivities. Events feature, Best Dressed & Hat Contests, $5 Maker's Mint Juleps, $4 Jim Beam & Red Stag, $10 Southern Buffet, prizes and raffles. You could win $100 or a trip to the Equestrian Connection Stables!

Collection XIIX Derby Hat
(credit: shop.nordstrom.com)

It's All About The Hat: Collection XIIX/Nordstrom

Collection XIIX 'Bold Stripe' Floppy Paper Straw Hat
Nordstrom/Various Locations
Chicago, IL
shop.nordstrom.com

Bands of bold metallic color circle the crown and wide, floppy brim of a lightweight sun hat. Comes in three colors: Natural (shown), Hot Pink, Navy.

Price: $38.00

Nordstrom Juicy Couture Dotty Hat
credit: shop.nordstrom.com)

It's All About The Hat: Juicy Couture /Nordstrom

Juicy Couture 'Dotty Floral' Floppy Terry Hat
Nordstrom/Various Locations
Chicago, IL
shop.nordstrom.com

Poppies and polka dots pattern a soft terry hat with trapunto stitching around the floppy brim. An adjustable drawstring at the crown provides a custom fit.

Price: $58

135th Kentucky Derby
(Credit: Getty Images/Jamie Squire)

Derby News

Track Conditions Could Dictate Derby Winner
Eddie Olczyk On The Mully And Hanley Show
670 The Score
chicago.cbslocal.com

CHICAGO (WSCR) There are a lot different elements to the Kentucky Derby that make it one of the most popular sporting events in the United States: there's the pageantry, the mint juleps, the hats and maybe most importantly the gambling.
Each running of the Derby has different horses, jockeys and trainers and each race runs a little bit differently. This year's race, like some in the past, could be determined by what the weather does to the track.

"I think when you do look at the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby I think post position, certainly, is an important play," former Chicago Blackhawk Eddie Olczyk said on the Danny Mac Show. "I think the track condition, from talking to people that are down there, they're expecting some thundershowers somewhere in the afternoon. So I think track conditions are going to have a big play in what kind of race it's going to be.

Read more at: chicago.cbslocal.com

Lauren Wulf, CBS Local Chicago

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