The Kentucky Derby and horse racing in general is an old Kentucky tradition, one that has roots here in the NKY region. Two businesses in Covington’s neighborhood of Latonia, which at one time was its own city that housed the historic Latonia Race Track, will honor the heritage of the neighborhood by holding events this weekend where local people can enjoy the Derby and other festivities without traveling.

Jockeys and crowds at the old Latonia Race Track. Date unknown. Photo provided | Kenton County Library Faces and Places: Northern Kentucky Photographic Archives

The race track closed in 1939 just before the onset of the second World War. Every year the track would host the 1.5 mile Latonia Derby. After the war in 1959, a new Latonia Race Course opened in Florence. In 1986, the course was converted to Turfway Park, which is still in operation today.

“It’s just a tradition that Kentucky has,” said Billie Mocabee, the owner of The Roost Latonia. “We here like to add just the part of how we played a role in it, bringing a lot of people to Kentucky.”

The Roost will hold an event on Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. that will include a Derby watch party, screenings of documentaries about Kentucky horse racing, mocktails and contests for the best-dressed man and the fanciest lady’s hat.

A hobby horse at the Roost Latonia. Photo provided | Billie Mocabee

“There’s an artisanship to the crafting of the outfit and the hat, and I think people are excited about it,” Mocabee said. “It brings joy to many.”

Entry tickets are $25. Check out The Roost Latonia’s Facebook event page for more information.

If you’re looking for something a little more, ahem, exuberant, head down the road to Ritte’s Corner Cafe, located at the former site of Ivy’s Tavern on Winston Avenue.

Ritte’s opened officially in April, so this will be their first-ever annual Derby Watch Party. Amber Borchers, who manages entertainment for Ritte’s, said that the owners hope to hold similar events in subsequent years.

The exterior of Ritte’s Corner Cafe. Photo provided | Ritte’s Corner Cafe

“They’re huge into the Kentucky Derby,” Borchers said, “At their other two locations, Hat Tricks and 2nd Time Around, they always go all out.”

The bar will open early on Saturday at noon. Festivities will include a live broadcast of the race as well as free food, drink specials, live music in the evening, outfit contests similar to the ones at the Roost and, finally,… Hot Wheels races?

Video provided | Treadmill Championship Racing

“You start [a] treadmill and then you start to incline it, and then whoever’s the last one standing is going to win a prize,” Borchers said.

If you can’t make it out to Latonia, there are lots of other places in Covington and elsewhere in NKY that will be celebrating Derby Day. Check out a list of events below. Click each link for more information.