Ky Derby...do you prefer it Extra Crispy or with Pepperoni?

[FOS]

hi guys

Apparently the Kentucky Derby has taken on a named sponsor for the first time EVER...that sponsor is Yum Brands, Inc. Among Yum's brands are...KFC...Taco Bell...A & W restaurants and Long John Silver's.

Apparently the Yum logo will appear under the twin towers...(oh Yummy)...above the starting gate...on pony riders' jackets...billboards etc.

Read about it for yourself Article - Kentucky Derby Sponsorship

Will the spectacular Kentucky Derby...in all it's splendor, history, pomp and circumstance...now be subject to reference as the Extra Crispy Derby...or the Pepperoni Derby...or the Burrito and Hot Sauce Derby...or maybe even the Yummy Derby?

Where was Jess Jackson when the talk of nachos, or anchovies, or original or crispy was up for debate? A Chardonnay might have offered a bit more elegance (or Joie de Vivre if you will) to the festivities, than Nachos or fried shimp and fries or a bucket of original recipe .

What do you think?

Respectfully

[HR LLC]

FOS,
That is the way of the sports world right now. You see every pro stadium has a sponsor and most colleges are falling in line with that trend also.

Fedex has their name on everything. I thought Fedex or UPS would make a better sponsor for the KY derby but Yums is a Louisville company. Yums stepped up to the plate with the necessary cash to get the job done. Everything is for sale. Jockeys are selling space on their body for advertisers. I would not be surprised to see the other big races getting sponsors.

I think owners should get a cut of that pie also. I can see the day when the winning horse in the KY derby is owned by xyz owner and sponsored by (fill in the blank) corporation. NASCAR does it, why not horse owners.

[austique]

I am now selling space on my forehead for advertising purposes. No political advertisements please.

[louis finochio]

The sponsor ship of big corporations is a welcome oportunity for the companys and the TB fans.

The reason I left the poor mans race horse's racing pigeons, was because no sponsor would put up the $ to sponsor a big pigeon race.

You couldnt blame them as the sport of racing pigeons is not a popular sport in the US as it is in the Euro arena.

In todays time frame in Las Vegas, they have a pigeon race at 300 miles and the payout is $300,000 its called the Vegas Classic. The prize money comes from band sales not a sponsor.

[skeenan]

Well... better than the Kotex Kentucky Derby, I suppose... or Viagra... (boy, the fun I'd have if I were Mark Martin in the winner's circle, ha ha!)

I like the Guinness sponsorship myself... a classy beverage for a classy sport! Not a big fan of their commercials, though...

[FOS]

hi guys

ESPN didn't waste any time...

...on at least one of its programs (today) the sports channel discussed the just announced Kentucky Derby sponsorship by Yum Brands Inc (which includes among its brands Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut and Long John Silver's)...unfortunately the commentary was in terms that I expected might occur. Kentucky Derby friend, fan, and ESPN and Pardon The Interruption stalwart Tony Kornheiser...winced as he offered his opinion, that many might now refer to the spectacular event that we know as the Kentucky Derby as "The Kentucky Fried Derby" and worse.

He referred to the prospects of the Yum Brands Inc name (or names of any of its product brands) being connected to the name Kentucky Derby as "Ludicrous" and "Preposterous"."

I find it disappointing that what I expected might occur in the way of the possibility of disparaging jokes and/or references being made of the Kentucky Derby and it's connection to its first ever named sponsor (Yum Brands) has already (at least to some extent) taken on a life of its own...and arguably it's not very positive or complimentary.

I grimmace (as did ESPN's Kornheiser) at the thought that the worst is yet to come...unfortunately.

"The Kentucky Fried Derby" (as referenced on ESPN)...OUCH !!!

Respectfully

[BJ]

I am now selling space on my forehead for advertising purposes. No political advertisements please.

But isn't everything political today?

[BJ]

Well... better than the Kotex Kentucky Derby, I suppose... or Viagra... (boy, the fun I'd have if I were Mark Martin in the winner's circle, ha ha!)

I like the Guinness sponsorship myself... a classy beverage for a classy sport! Not a big fan of their commercials, though...

Well at least it isn't Carl's Jr. I have to leave the room to keep from gagging at their commercials. They should bring back the Budweiser Clydesdales (sp?) pulling the starting gate. They had some great commercials for horseracing.

[llbean]

Hi FOS,

I agree with Tony Kornheiser here; I'm deeply surprised Churchill would undermine it's most important brand by having so undignified sounding a company as "Yum Brands" associated with the Kentucky Derby and I must admit I thought it was some kind of weird joke when I first saw the announcement.

Even the "Long John Silver Kentucky Derby" wouldn't have been good from the race's standpoint but at least it would've beat "The Yum Brands Kentucky Derby" in my opinion...

"Yum Brands" sounds like a fake company from a Movie or something and I certainly never heard of it before.

-llbean

[StrawberryFelidos]

I may not be politically correct here, but I must say, race names sound so damn funny when you attach a corporate sponsor to the title- I still think the Galleryfurniture.com stakes is the stupidest graded one I've ever heard to date Isn't it a little hard to say that one with pride:
"My horse won the Belmont."
"My horse won the Metropolitain Handicap."
"Yeah, well my horse won the Galleryfurniture.com stakes!!!" Sounds cheap as all hell. I wonder, what ever happened to that good old gallery furniture stakes, anyway?

[FOS]

hi StrawberryFelidos

Fair enough...but what if McDonald's feels compelled to take on Yum Brands' sponsorship of the Kentucky Derby?

In that case...the "Kentucky Fried Derby" could conceivably be followed by the Two All Beef Patties Special Sauce Lettuce Cheese Pickles Onions on a Sesame Seed Bun Preakness.

Based on others' comments, it sounds like if the sponsor's money's right...anything's possible.

Respectfully

[Heidilady]

hi StrawberryFelidos

Fair enough...but what if McDonald's feels compelled to take on Yum Brands' sponsorship of the Kentucky Derby?

In that case...the "Kentucky Fried Derby" could conceivably be followed by the Two All Beef Patties Special Sauce Lettuce Cheese Pickles Onions on a Sesame Seed Bun Preakness.

Based on others' comments, it sounds like if the sponsor's money's right...anything's possible.

Respectfully

Ow...sides...hurting...aahhhhhhh.

I got one for ya. The Twinkie Triple Crown Challenge.

[Pan Zareta]

I got one for ya. The Twinkie Triple Crown Challenge.

ROTFLMAO!

In that case...the "Kentucky Fried Derby" could conceivably be followed by the Two All Beef Patties Special Sauce Lettuce Cheese Pickles Onions on a Sesame Seed Bun Preakness.

...and maybe the Burger King Have it YOUR way! Belmont.

[xfactor fan]

It could be worse. Alpo could be a major sponsor.

[StrawberryFelidos]

It could be worse. Alpo could be a major sponsor.

nooooooooooooooo