10 Country Songs That Pair Perfectly With The Kentucky Derby (& A Mint Julep)

Gearing up to run for the roses.

It’s the official best weekend of the year. Well, maybe some folks will have a bone to pick with me for that statement and argue that The Masters, the MLB Opening Day, or other various sporting events might be better than this. However, as a self-proclaimed horse girl and lover of racing, the Kentucky Derby is my equivalent to you’re best weekend of the year.

Friday’s Kentucky Oaks, the top race for 3-year-old fillies, had a purse of $1.5 million that went to Good Cheer as she stretched her unbeaten streak.

This year, the Derby is a much bigger race for country music fans to pay attention to, given that Toby Keith has a horse, Render Judgment, who is set to run for the roses.

@kentuckyderby Oh hi Render Judgement #kentuckyderby #horsesontiktok #horses #snackbreak ♬ Totally awkward random – Woooooooo

Keith’s horse is fighting a quarter crack but is set to be still clear to run, and country music fans have faith that he will take home the garland of roses for Keith. His odds have been pushed from 30/1 to 12/1.

Because of the country music tie-in to this year’s Derby, it’s only right to fire up some of the finest songs about horses, bourbon, and the bluegrass state of Kentucky over the Derby weekend to set the tone before the big race.

So grab your favorite bourbon and fire up these heaters.

It’s only right to kick this list off with one of Toby Keith’s songs:

“Beer For My Horses” by Toby Keith featuring Willie Nelson 

“Kentucky Gold” by Whiskey Myers

“Bourbon and the Blues” by Whitey Morgan & the 78s

“The Race Is On” – George Jones

“Whiskey Girl” by Toby Keith

“My Old Kentucky Home (Turpentine and Dandelion Wine)” by Johnny Cash

“Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound” by Hank Williams Jr.

“Run Wild Horses” by Aaron Watson

“Bourbon Legend” by Jason Boland & the Stragglers

“East Kentucky Home” by The SteelDrivers

Turn it up and let the bourbon flow. Or if you’re like me and aren’t tough enough to drink bourbon straight, get to muddling your mint for some mint juleps.

No matter who you’re rooting for or what you’re listening to, sit back, relax, and enjoy the races.

@kentuckyderby One race, all the emotions. #kentuckyderby #kentuckyoaks #horseracing #derbyparty #churchilldowns ♬ original sound – kentuckyderby

The post 10 Country Songs That Pair Perfectly With The Kentucky Derby (& A Mint Julep) first appeared on Whiskey Riff.