Breeders’ Cup Watching Party at Home
Due to Covid-19, this years 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships will take place in Lexington, Kentucky on November 6-7 without fans in attendance. 
The Breeders’ Cup is one of the most prestigious international Thoroughbred horse racing events, and this year the program will provide fans with new opportunities to interact remotely, from innovative digital viewing experiences to cocktails, food recipes, and a virtual fashion contest.
“Our fans are the heart and soul of the Breeders’ Cup, and we are thrilled to introduce new and exciting opportunities for them to engage with the upcoming World Championships from the comfort of their homes,” said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup. “Encompassing all facets of the Breeders’ Cup experience, this new program makes it easier than ever for fans to join in the excitement of the event, whether through following their favorite horses, crafting our official cocktails or showing off the finest race day fashions. We look forward to seeing our loyal fans, as well as new fans, get into the Breeders’ Cup spirit in a whole new way, and we hope they enjoy the various activations we’ve created to enhance their at-home viewing experience.”
Since this two-days event is usually filled with excitement both on and off the track, with glamorous fashion, celebrity sightings and food curated by world-renowned chefs, this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships reached out to horse lover, supermodel, actress and entrepreneur Kate Upton to be the 2020 ambassador.
The last time Kate attended a Breeders’ Cup was in 2015, when American Pharoah famously won the Classic to become horse racing’s first ever Grand Slam (Triple Crown + Breeders’ Cup) winner.
With safety restrictions, Kate won’t be at the event, but will be watching the Breeders’ Cup from home. On November 7, she will make an appearance during the NBC broadcast of Breeders’ Cup. Here’s how she plans to celebrate at home, and here are some fun ideas for you to have at your own home viewing party.
Kate will wear a custom-made fascinator by renowned milliner Christine Moore, the official milliner of the Breeders’ Cup and featured milliner for the Kentucky Derby. Check out the website or make your own disc fascinator.
Craft the same Breeders’ Cup Official Cocktails that Kate will be sipping. Since she prefers vodka as her spirit of choice, the vodka-based ‘Garland’ is a refreshing drink to enjoy.
Here is the step-by-step instructions:
- 1 part Tito’s Handmade Vodka
- 1 part Triple Sec
- 1 part Honey-Green Tea (Honest or Pure Leaf)
- 1/2 part Fresh Lemon Juice
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing tin; add ice, shake vigorously and strain over fresh ice in a highball glass. Garnish with edible purple flowers.
Launched last year in partnership with iconic New York speakeasy ‘21’ Club, the cocktails feature high-quality and easy-to-find ingredients for the two cocktails – the Torrie Cup and the Garland. Purchase the newly created Breeders’ Cup Purple Party Kits featuring koozies, masks, pins and tableware at BreedersCupShop.com.
Another item Kate will prepare are her No-Bake Bourbon Balls. It’s a dish that she makes for every big race when she’s at home and not actually at the track.
Kate Upton’s No-Bake Bourbon Ball Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 (12-oz.) package vanilla wafers, finely crushed
- 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- ¾ cup powdered sugar + more for rolling
- 1 ½ tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
- ½ cup bourbon
- 2 ½ tablespoons light corn syrup
Instructions:
- Combine wafers, pecans, sugar and cocoa in a small bowl.
- In another small bowl, combine bourbon and corn syrup and then add to wafer mixture.
- Form small balls with the combined mixture and then roll in powdered sugar.
Fans at home can watch the event broadcast live on NBC, NBCSN, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app, as well as on BreedersCup.com and the Official Breeders’ Cup app. New digital enhancements created specifically for the home viewer including a VR/360 broadcast in collaboration with Oculus; a Contender Cam that allows fans to follow up to 14 of their favorite horses at once; and two Jockey Cams that will give first-person racing perspectives of the race from the jockeys’ helmets.
