To really soak in the tradition and pageantry that is the Kentucky Derby, you have to head to Churchill Downs, near Louisville, right? Wrong. You can get your Run for the Roses on right here in Minnesota!

That's because Canterbury Park, located about an hour and a half away from Rochester in Shakopee, is kicking off its 2018 racing season tomorrow and will also be showing the 144th running of the famous Kentucky Derby as well.

According to the CBS Minnesota story, a crowd of over 20,000 people watched not only the live racing at Canterbury Park on the first Saturday in May, but took in the live races there as well.

Canterbury Park's website says it's going all out for the famous race this year, which also happens to fall on Cinco de Mayo. In fact, they say they're throwing the biggest Derby Party in Minnesota, with live music from Boogie Wonderland, a Derby Hat Contest, the Red Carpet Selfie Station and more.

My wife and I love watching the ponies run at Canterbury Park. We usually try to head up there once a year, and while we only bet a couple of dollars, it's still pretty fun to see if your horse wins. (I think the most I won one year was $35-- which at least paid for my beer while I was there!)

So, if you want to get out your big, floppy hats and enjoy a mint julep (both big Kentucky Derby traditions), you don't have to head down to Louisville, you can stay right here in Minnesota to enjoy the 'greatest two minutes in sports,' as they say.

Canterbury Park's first race gets going at 12:45 Saturday, with the Kentucky Derby set for 5:50 p.m.

 Listen to Curt St. John from 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5 
and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 103.9 The Doc

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