Yep, it’s that time of the year when everybody (well, some of us anyway…) start talking about the Triple Crown series.

The 2008 Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, to be run on May 3, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival.

The Kentucky Derby is a one and a quarter mile (2 km) race held at Churchill Downs to kick off the 2008 Triple Crown series. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds and fillies 121 pounds.

It is known in the United States as ‘’the most exciting two minutes in sports'’ for its approximate duration. The first leg of the Triple Crown (to be followed by the 2008 Preakness Stakes and then the Belmont Stakes..) typically draws around 155,000 fans.

The Kentucky Derby is frequently referred to as ‘’The Run for the Roses,'’ because a lush blanket of 554 red roses is awarded to the Kentucky Derby winner each year. The tradition is as a result of New York socialite E. Berry Wall presenting roses to ladies at a post-Derby party in 1883 that was attended by Churchill Downs founder and president, Col. M. Lewis Clark.

This gesture is believed to have eventually led Clark to the idea of making the rose the race’s official flower. The Governor of Kentucky awards the garland and the trophy.

Here is a quick run down of the 2008 Kentucky Derby contenders; War Pass, Nick Pyro, Tale Of Ekati, Colonel John, Gayego, Big Brown Z, Humor, Monba, Court Vision, Z Fortune, Adriano, Recapturetheglory, Smooth Air, Cool Coal Man, Anak Nakal, Eight Belles, Cowboy Cal, Visionaire, Big Truck, Denis of Cork, Tomcito, Atoned.

There ya’ go! Good luck people!

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Triple Crown 2008 Kentucky Derby