Kentucky Derby Unit & Lapbook
unit by Marcy Crabtree

                         

Lapbook templates & notebooking pages are in this file. 

The Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is a horse race for 3-year-old Thoroughbred horses, which takes place in at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY every first Saturday in May.  It is the oldest continuous sporting event in the U.S and was first held on May 17, 1875.

This year (2010) will be the 136^th running. 

Only 20 thoroughbreds can run in the Kentucky Derby.

The Kentucky Derby race is 1 ¼ mile long or 10 furlongs.

The Kentucky Derby is known as “the greatest 2 minutes in sports.”

Only 3 fillies have ever won the Kentucky Derby.

Also known as the “Run for the Roses,” the winning jockey receives a bouquet of red roses and a large garland of roses is draped over the horse’s shoulders.  Each of the garland’s 500 red roses are placed in their own little vial of water and sewn individually onto a green satin blanket. The winning team receives a gold trophy with a horseshoe facing upward, as a symbol for good luck.

Complete "Derby Facts"  shutterfold.

Complete math problem ("The first Kentucky Derby was held in 1875...). 

Take a virtual field trip to the Kentucky Derby 

Books to read:
Derby Day:  A Pop-Up Celebration of the Kentucky Derby

Little Freddie at the Kentucky Derby by Kathryn Cocquyt is written from the perspective of a foal, named Freddie, who dreams of getting to the Kentucky Derby, you and your children will learn a lot about what it takes to become a winning racehorse.

Kentucky

Kentucky’s mild climate, plentiful water, soil rich in limestone and calcium, and gently rolling hills of plush Bluegrass, make Kentucky the perfect place to raise thoroughbreds.  As the horses graze, they take in the minerals from the soil which help build strong bones and muscles.

Complete "Why is the derby in Kentucky" minit book.
 

Lexington is the horse capital of the world.  It is home to vast numbers of horse farms, and the world-renowned Kentucky Horse Park.  Check out the “Just for Kids” section at the park’s website here where your children will learn the “legends of the park,” the “hall of champions,” “stars of the park,” and more.  If you happen to live anywhere near Lexington or will be passing through, the Kentucky Horse Park is a must see!  In the fall of 2010, the park will host the first “World Equestrian Games” ever held in the U.S. You can learn more about the  games here.

Mark cities on the map of Kentucky.
Complete "Kentucky" tab book.
 

Learn more about Kentucky when you read B is for Bluegrass:  A Kentucky Alphabet by Mary Ann McCabe Riehle

Louisville

Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky and located on the Falls of the Ohio River.  Founded by George Rogers Clark in 1778 and named for King Louis XVI of France.  Louisville is well known not only for the Kentucky Derby, but also for the Louisville Slugger baseball bat and museum , The Frazier Arms Historical Society, and it’s beautiful Metro Parks system designed by Olmstead, who also designed Central Park in NYC.

Symbol of Louisville is the fleur de lis.  Fleur de lis is a French word meaning “lily flower.”  Here is a printable fleur de lis if your children would like to decorate one for a lapbook.

Complete "Louisville Facts" accordion book.
 

Churchill Downs

Kentucky Horse farms prospered until the Civil War in the 1860s.  Armies in both north and south looked to Kentucky to supply horses to both the north and south and many of those horses died in the war battles.  A few prized stallions and mares were hidden and survived the war, which allowed the thoroughbred line to continue.  After the war, horse farms in Kentucky began to rebuild.  It was at this time that a new racetrack was built in nearby Louisville, a popular steamboat port on the Ohio River.

This racetrack originally named “The Jockey Club, but was eventually renamed “Churchill Downs,” after 2 brothers, John and Henry Churchill, who owned the land on which it was built. 

The 2 most famous races run at Churchill Downs are The Kentucky Derby and The Kentucky Oaks, modeled after two English races, The Epsom Derby and the Epsom Oaks. 

The “twin spires” of Churchill Downs were added 20 years after it originally opened and are now seen at the symbol of both the track and the Kentucky Derby.

You can learn more about Churchill Downs here.

Complete "Churchill Downs" tri-fold book.

Thoroughbred Horse

Every Thoroughbred breed horse is descended from one of three Arab stallions brought to England over 300 years ago:  The Goldolphin Arabian, Byerly Turk, and Darley Arabian. 

Average Weight: 1000 lbs

Height: 16 hands on average with a range of 15.2-17 hands

Run: 40 mph

Stride: reaches between 20 to 25 feet

Thoroughbreds are, on average, 16 hands high.  A hand is approximately 4inches.  How tall is your child in hands?  What about dad? Have your child measure things around the house in inches and then convert into hands.

A Thoroughbred has a stride of between 20-25 feet.  That’s the length of 4 people lying in a straight line head-to-toe.  Gather 4 people together and have them do just that to show your children exactly how amazing that is!  And measure your child’s stride to compare!

Thoroughbred horses have a sleek body type, with sloped shoulders, muscular hind quarters and a deep chest.  These attributes give them a long stride, fast speed, and room for a strong heart and lungs.  These characteristics, along with their bold and spirited temperament make them excellent racehorses.

Thoroughbreds are purchased as yearlings, usually presented at auctions in late summer and early fall auctions.  After the horse is purchased, it is given its name, which usually relates to its pedigree in some way.  The name must be registered with an organization called the Jockey Club, contain fewer than 18 characters, and cannot be the same as any of the over 400,000 names in active use.  Every thoroughbred also has another way of being identified—a small tattoo of letters and numbers on the inside of its upper lip.  There are many other rules about naming a Thoroughbred.  You can read more about that here.

Racing begins at age 2; traveling around the country to run in race meets of increasing difficulty.  At age 3, thoroughbreds are usually entered in a series of “prep races” to prepare them for the running of the Kentucky Derby.

Every thoroughbred has an “official birthday” of January 1, but may actually be born anytime in the spring months.

Complete "Thoroughbred" fan
Complete "What Makes a Good Racehorse?" shape book
Complete the notebook page about naming a horse
Learn more about horse anatomy with this printout from Enchanted Learning

Using the book 1-2-3 Draw Horses by Freddie Levin, have your child learn how to draw the Thoroughbred.

Book:  I Wonder Why Horses Wear Shoes and Other Questions about Horses by Jackie Gaff

A wonderful read-aloud about the Godolphin Arabia is King of the Wind.  Be sure to check it out at the library and enjoy it together during this unit.  

The Horse and Its Family

Stallion: adult male horse

Mare:  adult female horse

Sire:  a horse’s father

Dam:  a horse’s mother

Foal:  a baby horse in its first year of life

Yearling:  A horse from its first official birthday on January 1^st to the following January 1^st

Colt:  a male horse less than 5 years old

Filly:  a female horse less than 5 years old

Complete "What's in a Name?" flapbook.
 

The Thoroughbred Team

It takes an entire team of professionals to care for and train racehorses.  You might be surprised to find out how much work it takes to get horses read for racing.  Here are the key players:

Trainer:  The trainer is hired by the horse’s owner to oversee the team of people who will work with and take care of the horse every day. He or she plans his diet, exercise routine, and the rest of his care, as well as decides which races he will run in and which jockey will work best with the horse.

Groom:  The groom takes care of the horses daily needs, keeps his stall clean and comfortable, feeds and waters the horse, and keeps him warm on chilly nights by placing a blanket over him.    He also bathes, brushes the horse and wraps his delicate legs for support and protection.  The groom also makes sure the horse’s equipment is in good repair.

Exercise Rider:  Every morning, the exercise rider gallops the horse around the track for its daily workout. 

Hotwalker:  After the horse’s morning workout, the hotwalker leads the horse on a walking trail.  Hotwalking cools the horse down after it exercises and before it’s returned to its stall. 

Veterinarian:  The doctor who takes care of the horse’s health is called a veterinarian.  The vet does physical and dental check-ups, gives regular vaccinations, and provides medical treatment if the horse becomes injured or ill. 

Farrier:  also called a blacksmith.  The farrier cares for the horse’s hooves, trims and files hooves every 4-6 weeks, and shapes aluminum shoes over an open fire to fit the hooves of each individual horse.

Jockey:  The jockey is the person who rides the horse during a race. 

Complete "The Thoroughbred Team"  matchbooks and make a cover book for them
 

The Jockey
 

Jockeys must have good balance, a great sense of timing and lots of courage.  Their ability to handle a horse can determine whether or not they win a race.  The conditions of the track can change quickly and the jockey must be able to react quickly in order to win and stay safe. Jockeys are small because the horses can run faster carrying less weight. Every horse carries the same amount of weight during a race.  If need be, weights can be added to balance that out.

Until the end of the 19^th century, jockeys sat upright on their horses.  Then one day a jockey named Tod Sloan, nicknamed “Toad” because of his unusually short legs, began hitching up his stirrups when he rode, which caused his weight to move forward on his horse, placing his weight over the horse’s center of gravity.  This position gives the jockey better balance and less wind resistance when the horse is racing. This position is now the standard for all jockeys.

Jockeys wear jerseys and caps, called “silks,” with certain colors and designs to identify the horse’s owner.  The idea of “racing silks” originated hundreds of years ago to make it easier to identify a horse and rider from a distance.  You’re likely to see all kinds of shapes:  stripes, diamonds, checkerboards, and spots, and colors:  bright yellow, red, green, pink, white, purple, blue, and black. The jockeys also wear a helmet and safety vest underneath their silks to help protect them in case of a fall.  White riding breeches are also worn, tucked into tall leather racing boots, as well as goggles to shield the jockey’s eyes from the splash of mud from the racetrack.

What does it mean to have courage?  Have your child look up courage or courageous in his dictionary. Use the following verse for memory work or copywork:  "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."  Deut. 31:6

Complete "What Makes a Good Jockey"  t-book
Complete "Riding Position"  simple fold

Complete "Design Your Own Silks" page

Alternate Silks Printable

African American Jockeys have an early, but rich history with the Kentucky Derby.  If your family would like to learn more about this, check out this beautiful picture book:  The Last Black King of the Kentucky Derby:  The Story of Jimmy Winkfield by Crystal Hubbard

The Kentucky Derby Festival

Every year, to kick-off the Kentucky Derby season, the city of Louisville goes into celebration mode. For the 2 weeks prior to Derby day, the festivities abound.  Here are some of the most popularly attended:

Thunder Over Louisville:  Opening ceremonies for the Kentucky Derby Festival take place 2 weeks before the Derby.  The world’s largest fireworks show, Thunder Over Louisville, kicks off the festival in downtown Louisville along the banks of the Ohio River.  

Great Balloon Race:  One week before the Kentucky Derby, the skies fill with the color of over hot-air balloons, all in search for where the “x” marks the spot and they can drop the winning bean bag.  Just as popular is the balloon glow the night before the big race, where you can walk around the filled balloons and talk to the pilots.

The Great Steamboat Race:  Since 1963, this 14-mile race has taken place the Wednesday before the Derby on the Ohio River, between The Belle of Louisville and The Delta Queen from New Orleans.  In 2009, the Belle began racing The Belle of Cincinnati when The Delta Queen was forced to dock permanently at the end of the 2008 season.  You can now find the Delta Queen in Chattanooga, TN, where it is a hotel.  The coveted prize?....a set of elk antlers, spray-painted gold!

Pegasus Parade: The Pegasus Parade takes place the Thursday before the Derby, marching through downtown Louisville in honor of the winged horse from Greek Mythology.  A Royal Court of Derby Princesses wave as crowds enjoy colorful floats, marching bands, inflatable balloons and equestrians.

Kentucky Oaks:  this horse race, for 3-yr-old fillies, runs the Friday before the Derby at Churchill Downs.  The horses compete for a silver trophy and a garland of stargazer lilies.  Also know as the “Run for the Lilies.”

Complete "Derby Festival"  simple fold

Derby Traditions

“My Old Kentucky Home” is sung as the thoroughbreds parade by the grandstand, spectators join in singing as the University of Louisville Cardinal marching band plays. Read the lyrics and learn more about the song here.

 

Kentucky Derby Hats
Did you realize the Kentucky Derby was also a hat-fashion show?  Women are known for wearing pretty dresses paired with oversized, elaborate hats.  You might even see a hat with a horse and stable glued to the top! 



Design your own Kentucky Derby hat

Recipes
Of course food is part of the celebration!   A few favorites include:  Kentucky Hot Brown, Kentucky Derby Pie, Kentucky Burgoo, and Benedictine spread.  Try some of these with your student (some recipes are included in the lapbook file).

Add recipe cards and pocket to your lapbook.

The Triple Crown
 

Most Kentucky Derby winners go on to compete in two other races, which, together with the Derby, represent the ultimate challenge in the sport of horse racing, known as The Triple Crown:

1. The Kentucky Derby—1 ¼ mile race held on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Kentucky
2. The Preakness—1 3/16 mile race held in mid-May at Pimlico Racetrack in Maryland
3. The Belmont—1 ½ mile race held in June at Belmont park in New York

Only 11 horses have won the Triple Crown, the last was being “Affirmed” in 1978.

Complete "Triple Crown" tri-fold.

Secretariat
 

Perhaps one of the most famous Kentucky Derby winners, Secretariat holds the record for fastest Kentucky Derby at 1:59.40 minutes and fastest Belmont Stakes at 2:24 minutes.  He also won the Triple Crown in 1978. He was nicknamed “Big Red” due to his size (16 hands, 2 inches and 1175 lbs) and his color, a beautiful chestnut red.  Secretariat was born March 30, 1970 and died October 4, 1989

Disney is currently in process of making a major motion picture about Secretariat.  It is being filmed in Kentucky and Louisiana, is due to be released in the fall of 2010, and is rated PG for “brief, mild language”.

You can read more about Secretariat at his website.
 

Make your own horse trading cards with the template and pocket provided 

Vocabulary
 
backside: area away from the grandstand side of the track, usually where the stables are located. It often includes sleeping rooms, a kitchen and recreation areas for stable employees.

bit: a bar that goes in the horses mouth that allows the jockey or rider to have control over the horse, usually made
of stainless steel, rubber or aluminum.

blinkers: a cup-shaped piece of equipment that limits the horse's vision, especially to the sides. It fits over the horse's head.

bridle: a piece of equipment that fits on a horse's head, the bit and the reins are attached.

furlong: an eighth of a mile on the racetrack.

gait: the four natural ways a horse moves: walk, trot, canter and gallop.

grandstand: area of the racetrack where people sit to watch the races.

halter: like a bridle, but without a bit attached; used to lead the horse around.

hand: the unit of measure for the height of a horse; a hand is four inches.

paddock: area of the racetrack where the horses are saddled before the race; where the jockey mounts the horse.

post position: the place in the starting gate from which a horse starts the race.

reins: long straps that are connected to the bit, allowing the jockey to control the horse.

silks: the jacket and cap worn by a jockey in a race, they indicate who owns the horse.

stewards: the name for the judges at the racetrack, there are usually three.

stirrups: metal D-shaped rings that hang from the saddle, into which a jockey or rider places his or her feet.

tack: the rider's racing equipment. The tack room is were the equipment is kept.

Thoroughbred: a breed of horse created in England in the early to mid 1700s, the only one bred solely for speed.

track condition: what the racing surface is like because of weather: fast, slow, sloppy, muddy, heavy, or frozen. Horses will often run differently depending on the track condition.

turf: a racetrack that is grass instead of dirt or sand. Some horses run better on turf.

Complete "New Words"  minit book
 

Rabbit Trails

Other topics you might consider exploring during this unit:

Ohio River

steamboats

fireworks

hot air balloons

roses and lilies

horse colors

horse movements

African American jockeys

past winners of the Kentucky Derby
 

Library List

Chapter Books

Little Freddie at the Kentucky Derby by Kathryn Cocquyt

Kentucky Derby Champion by Mildred Mastin Pace

King of the Wind

Picture Books

B is for Bluegrass:  A Kentucky Alphabet by Mary Ann McCabe Riehle

Derby Day: A Pop-Up Celebration of the Kentucky Derby

The Last Black King of the Kentucky Derby:  The Story of Jimmy Winkfield by Crystal Hubbard

I Wonder Why Horses Wear Shoes and Other Questions about Horses by Jackie Gaff

Art Books

1-2-3 Draw Horses by Freddie Levin