Kentucky Derby Edition

Jenna Flexner

May 26

4 min read

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

It's the Kentucky Derby Y'all!

The 152nd Run for the Roses

The Kentucky Derby has long been known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” and for good reason. First run in 1875 at Churchill Downs, the Derby has become one of America’s most beloved sporting traditions. Every spring, thousands gather to watch the fastest three-year-old thoroughbreds race beneath the iconic Twin Spires, while millions more tune in from home. It’s a celebration of Southern charm, horse racing history, and timeless pageantry all rolled into one unforgettable afternoon.

Of course, the Kentucky Derby is just as famous for its traditions as it is for the race itself. From elaborate hats and bright spring fashions to the unmistakable taste of mint juleps, Derby Day is all about embracing fun and flair. Guests dress in colorful attire and sip juleps and Kentucky mules while enjoying classic Southern favorites. It’s one of those events where everyone gets swept up in the excitement, whether they know horse racing or not.

This year’s Derby also made history. Golden Tempo, a long-shot with 23-1 odds to win, stunned the crowd with an incredible come-from-behind victory, as in from dead last place! But perhaps the biggest headline belonged to trainer Cherie DeVaux, who became the first female trainer EVER to win the Kentucky Derby in the race’s 152-year history. Her groundbreaking achievement added an inspiring and memorable chapter to Derby lore, proving once again that the Derby always delivers a story worth celebrating.

Here at Casa Flexner, we celebrated in style during our second annual "It's the Kentucky Derby Y'all" Client Party. Last year was so much fun we decided to make it an annual event! We donned fancy hats, dresses, and seersucker suits and gathered to watch the race live. The mint juleps and Kentucky mules were flowing as we mingled, munched on delicious Southern Eats, and even participated in a little friendly betting which made the race all the more exciting. :) Laughter, cheers, and great company filled the afternoon, making it a spirited and memorable celebration that already has us looking forward to next year’s Run for the Roses!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2WFi1kOvo0&feature=youtu.be

Flexner’s Foodie Spotlight

The Mint Julep

Official drink of the Kentucky Derby

The Mint Julep traces its roots back to the 18th century, when “julep” referred to a sweet medicinal drink inspired by the Persian word gulab, meaning rosewater. Early American versions mixed spirits, sugar, water, and fresh herbs, but the cocktail evolved in the South as bourbon became more available in Kentucky. With mint growing easily in Southern gardens and crushed ice considered a luxury before refrigeration, the mint julep quickly became associated with refinement and hospitality.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the mint julep had become deeply tied to the Derby, cementing its place as one of America’s most iconic cocktails. The drink was officially named the Kentucky Derby's signature cocktail in 1937, and today, Churchill Downs serves around 125,000 mint juleps during the event each year. Traditionally served in a frosted silver cup with bourbon, mint, sugar, and crushed ice, the drink remains a symbol of Southern culture, Kentucky bourbon heritage, and classic American cocktail tradition.

This classic mint julep recipe calls for four simple ingredients: Kentucky bourbon, simple syrup, crushed ice, and fresh mint. Topped off with a mint sprig for garnish, it’s incredibly cooling and refreshing

Mint Julep - From Love and Lemons

Serves 1

Ingredients

8 fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
¼ to ½ ounce *Simple Syrup (see below)
2 ounces bourbon
Crushed ice

Instructions

In a julep cup (or whichever cup you like), muddle the mint leaves in ¼ ounce simple syrup. Add the bourbon and fill the cup with crushed ice.
Stir until the cup becomes frosted on the outside. Taste, adding more simple syrup for a sweeter drink.
Garnish with more mint and ENJOY!

* How to Make Simple Syrup

Add equal parts sugar and water (1/2 to 1 cup of each) to a saucepan over medium heat, and cook, stirring, until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely before sealing in an airtight container and storing in the fridge.

Erik and Jenna’s

Entertainment Picks

Secretariat

A champion's legacy still leads the field

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkiV_iLnS8M

If you’re in the mood for an inspiring sports movie that still feels surprisingly relevant today, I’d absolutely recommend the movie Secretariat. Even though it tells the story of the legendary 1973 Triple Crown winner, the film works as much more than a horse-racing drama — it’s really about belief, risk, and refusing to accept limits. Watching it now, post Derby and Golden Tempo winning in a thrilling upset, makes the movie feel timely all over again. It also highlights just how deeply Secretariat still shapes the sport: remarkably, all but ONE horse in the recent Derby field of the last several years could trace part of its bloodline back to Secretariat, a reminder that his influence on thoroughbred racing remains enormous more than fifty years later.

The film follows Penny Chenery (played by Diane Lane), a Denver housewife who unexpectedly finds herself taking over her family’s struggling horse farm despite having little experience in the racing world. Facing skepticism from nearly everyone around her, she partners with an unconventional trainer (John Malkovich) and takes a chance on a spirited young colt named Secretariat. The movie does a great job balancing the behind-the-scenes drama of the racing industry with the emotional story of determination, family, and trusting your instincts when the odds seem impossible.

More than anything, Secretariat is the kind of movie that leaves you feeling uplifted. Even if you aren’t normally a horse-racing fan, the film captures the excitement of competition and the emotional payoff of chasing something extraordinary. It’s heartfelt, beautifully shot, and genuinely inspiring — the kind of movie that makes you want to cheer by the end.

We love hearing from past clients, and meeting new ones! We are happy to be a resource for any real estate needs, so don't hesitate to reach out.

Until the next adventure,

- Erik & Jenna

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