A Simple Kentucky Derby Spread at Home (With Classic Southern Bites)

The 152nd Kentucky Derby has come and gone, and this year’s race gave us exactly what it always promises—history, heart, and just a little bit of magic.

We watched from home—just the three of us, gathered around a simple but thoughtful spread—and somehow it felt just as special as any grand party.

I’ve always loved horse racing—it’s been part of my story for as long as I can remember. When I was a child, my grandfather was a devoted fan, the kind who didn’t just watch races—he felt them. He would sit quietly by his radio, completely tuned in, listening to the race calls from Hipódromo Camarero—the track I still think of by its original name, El Comandante.

Back then, it was the heart of horse racing in Puerto Rico. El Comandante wasn’t just a racetrack—it was a gathering place, a pulse point for the island, where the energy of the crowd carried through the air and into homes like ours through those radio broadcasts.

I can still picture him listening, completely still until the final stretch—then suddenly animated, reacting to every call like he was right there at the rail. I didn’t fully understand the races then, but I understood him—the excitement, the ritual, the way something as simple as a voice on the radio could bring so much life into the room.

And I think that’s where it started for me.

And honestly, it was the kind of Derby you don’t forget. Because this year, the race wasn’t just exciting—it was historic.

Boricua Pride x 200! We are so proud of our boys from Trujillo Alto!

SHE IS THE MOMENT!

  • A 23-1 longshot, Golden Tempo, surged from the very back of the pack in a breathtaking final stretch to win it all, reminiscent of Rich Strike in 2022.

  • Trainer Cherie DeVaux made history as the first woman ever to train a Kentucky Derby winner.

  • Jockey Jose Ortiz— fellow Puerto Rican, riding with precision and patience, completed a victory 12 years in the making—after also winning the Kentucky Oaks the day before.

  • To make it more emotional? His brother, Irad Ortiz, Jr. came in second, riding the horse who was the favorite to win.

It was one of those finishes that reminds you why they call it the most exciting two minutes in sports.

And while all of that unfolded at Churchill Downs, we were right here—plates in hand, mint juleps nearby, cheering like we were part of it.

For our own little Derby Day at home, I kept the menu simple but intentional—just enough to feel special without making it overwhelming. I put together a small spread consisting of:

  • Kentucky Benedictine tea sandwiches

  • A creamy pimento cheese “bar”

  • Beau Monde dip and crudites that quickly became everyone’s favorite.

  • For the teenagers, we added a few sliders

  • A charcuterie board with cheeses and little bites to graze on

  • Of course, mint juleps tied it all together. And for those of us who don’t love mint juleps, we went with a variation—a Georgia peach julep that felt just as festive and a little more our speed.

It wasn’t elaborate, but it had all the elements I love—something fresh, something nostalgic, and plenty to share around the table.

As the day wound down and the last of the dishes were picked over, I found myself thinking about how traditions evolve—how they travel from a racetrack in Puerto Rico, to a quiet living room with my grandfather and a radio, to a small table here in the Midwest.

This year’s Derby reminded me that it’s not about where you watch or how elaborate the spread is—it’s about the memories you carry and the ones you’re still creating. And above all, the incredible stories that happen at this event, and the lives that are changed because of it. And if there’s good food, a meaningful story, and someone to share it with, that’s more than enough reason to celebrate.