Mohegan Sun is geared up once again for the annual Kentucky Derby party held in the Uncas Ballroom
On Saturday, May 5th, this year’s “Run for the Roses” will be celebrated in full at Mohegan Sun with the annual Kentucky Derby Party held in the Uncas Ballroom. Doors for the special party will open to the public at 10:00am.
As always, the Derby’s signature cocktail, Mint Julep, will be available as well as additional drink specials and food options at the derby festival buffet.  Guests joining the fun will also be able to take advantage of thirty betting terminals to go along with nine large screens.  There will be open seating for approximately 1,000 people; seating is on a “first-come, first-served” basis.   All guests must be 21 years of age or older to participate.
Special guests offering key advice for this year’s event will be Joanna Jones, race analyst and host for HRTV and Linda Rice, the renowned trainer and first woman to hold a training title in New York.
After grabbing some pointers, all that’s left to do is make your picks.  Guests who make a $25.00 wager will receive a commemorative Mohegan Sun Derby souvenir and any $50.00 wager will allow guests to pass through the Derby Festival Buffet.
Advance wagering will also be available on Friday, May 4th and guests choosing to place such wagers will receive a commemorative souvenir designed especially for the Mohegan Sun Race Book.
Joanne Jones is a TV host for HRTV’s daily show, Race Day America, which features a preview of the racing day, along with topical issues in the racing world and interviews with prominent guests.  She also has been on the network’s weekly show, The Edge and in the past, the Magna 5 preview show.  Her tenure with HRTV has taken her to numerous venues across the country, including the Kentucky Derby in 2007, the Preakness in 2004 and 2011 and the Belmont Stakes in 2005.  A well-known and well respected personality in the industry, Jones was introduced to horse racing by her father, Professor Gordon Jones. He was the columnist/handicapper for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, so Jones learned plenty over the years, working alongside her father on the weekends while in high school.
Linda Rice, who made history at Saratoga in 2009 when she became the first woman to win a NYRA training title, reached another personal milestone in June of 2011 at Belmont Park when she saddled her 1,000th winner as a trainer. Rice finished the Belmont spring/summer meet, tied with Todd Pletcher, atop the trainer standings with 25 wins.  This is the third meet title for Rice.
She joins an elite group of female trainers to top the 1,000 win mark, which includes Stephanie Beattie, Christine Janks, Barbara McBride and Kathleen O’Connell.
Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, is one of the largest, most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in the United States.  Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country.  More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com.