And They’re Off

The Best Pre-Race Instagrams Of The Kentucky Derby

Horses, mint julips and hats. It’s time for the ‘greatest two minutes in sports.’

In case you couldn’t tell from all the people suddenly dressed like colorblind riverboat gamblers, it’s Kentucky Derby time. Unironically hailed as “the greatest two minutes in sports,” the 141-year-old horse race also holds the title as longest pregame party to actual event ratio. Legions of fans will be sucking back sugared bourbon from frosty metal chalices in advance of the climactic 120 seconds of thunderous hooves and the yowling of rabid old white men with skin in the game–betting via official outlets is in the hundreds of millions each year.

Yet Kentucky Derby is as much about the fashion of attendees and party people as it is sweaty stallions, spawning preppy parties the world over. It’s a grown up, upper crust Cinco de Mayo, and as American as apple pie, as the saying goes. If you don’t happen to have the ability or desire to make it to Churchill Downs for the real deal, you can always watch on TV, or, as we are here, follow along on that most visual of social medias, Instagram, via the hashtag #kentuckyderby2015 and #kentuckyderby.

Here’s a glimpse of some colorful favorites featuring everything from Ms. America to movie stars to average schleps with appropriately festive chapeaus.

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James Joiner

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