Talk:Kentucky Derby

message: WikiProject Louisville		Derby 150 article development and backlog drive
WikiProject Louisville		Help WikiProject Louisville commemorate and celebrate the 150th Kentucky Derby! Join our article development and backlog drive taking place during the period of the Kentucky Derby Festival, April 20 – May 5, 2024. The purpose of this drive is to improve a corner of the Wikipedia related to and timed for this special rare anniversary, as a part of improving the whole encyclopedia.
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Join our festive international Derby party! Mint julep, anyone?
Stefen Towers among the rest! Gab • Gruntwerk 17:08, 15 April 2024 (UTC)
thread_title:  Invite to join the [[WP:DERBY150|Derby 150 article development and backlog drive]] (relevant article) 

message: I am confused by the line in the lead, "The race is run by three-year-old Thoroughbreds at a distance of 1
+1⁄4 miles (10 furlongs; 2,012 metres), the first time horses in the field race that distance." I don't know enough about this statement to make a change, but it looks like they are saying no 3 year old would have ever raced a distance of 1 1/4 miles. How would you guarantee that? StarHOG (Talk) 00:58, 22 April 2024 (UTC)
replies: text: I have reviewed this. During a rework of the lead in May 2023, that clause was added but no citation was given for it. Without support from a reliable source, I have removed it. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Stefen Towers among the rest! Gab • Gruntwerk 18:10, 23 April 2024 (UTC)
thread_title:  Lead development 

message: The horseraces infobox that's used on this article should include spaces for the last race and the upcoming race, like they have for seasons in the sports league infobox.  And it should include spaces for the dates of the last race and the upcoming race, like they have in the holiday infobox.  I suggest we put the dates with the links to the articles for the last and upcoming races.  I'd make that change myself, but it's extended-confirmed-protected. - Burner89751654 (talk) 18:44, 4 May 2024 (UTC)
replies: text: This has crossed my mind as well. I have endorsed your idea over there, and if there are no objections there , I have the access and knowledge to implement the ideas. Let's see if there are any other responses for a while and then I'll proceed. Stefen Towers among the rest! Gab • Gruntwerk 19:14, 4 May 2024 (UTC)
thread_title:  Dates 

message: There is reference to both of these titles in the introduction.
It seems the references stem from legendary sportswriter Grantland Rice's description of the event: "In 1935, legendary Tennessee-born sports writer Grantland Rice described the race. "Those two minutes and a second or so of derby running carry more emotional thrills, per second, than anything sport can show," he said. That phrase has since been shortened to describe the Kentucky Derby as 'the most exciting two minutes in sports.'" (trying to find original source)
I think "Fastest Two Minutes" references may just be incorrect nods to the "Most Exciting Two Minutes." "Fasest.." to me doesn't make sense, since 120 seconds is 120 seconds. The quote is meant to capture how much action is packed into that small window, I think. I'd like to consider removing the latter reference, or at least trying to better source its provenance.  Sawitontwitter (talk) 15:12, 7 May 2024 (UTC)
replies: text: , sorry for the delay in replying, but I have just rewritten the second paragraph to hopefully cover what you're discussing here. "Fastest Two Minutes" does seems odd but I've found in source searches that it's one of three common alternate phrases used to describe the Derby outside of "The Run for the Roses". I've added two cites for each phrase but perhaps more would be useful. Also thank you for bringing up Rice's description, as that makes a very nice touch for the lead. Stefen Towers among the rest! Gab • Gruntwerk 03:47, 30 May 2024 (UTC)
replies: text: I think that's much better, thanks! And no need to apologize--we all make changes and help out here as schedules allow! Sawitontwitter (talk) 20:03, 30 May 2024 (UTC)
thread_title:  Most Exciting Two Minutes or Fastest Two Minutes?