Sure bet: Derby Day at The Mint

(Coady Media photo of leading Kentucky Derby contender Tiztastic winning a $250,000 Keeneland sales allowance race last year at Kentucky Downs)

FRANKLIN, KY. (Wednesday, April 16, 2025) — Don’t have tickets to the Kentucky Derby? Waiting on a Derby party invitation? Just want a place to go watch and wager on the First Saturday in May without a lot of hoopla?

With the 151st Kentucky Derby fast approaching on May 3 at Churchill Downs, The Mint Gaming venues at Kentucky Downs in Franklin and in Bowling Green, Williamsburg and Corbin provide a convenient, no-fuss way to watch and wager on America’s greatest horse race. The Mint Gaming Hall is a sure bet with:

// Free parking and admission, extensive television monitors/video boards, betting and food and beverage service. Come alone or bring your party to The Mint. No RSVP is required. Just show up!

// Whether you’re going to a party or watching at home, The Mint offers easy in-and-out to drop off your bets before or during the races. You can cash your winners that evening or another day at your convenience.

// The four Mint Gaming properties offer sports betting, so guests also can wager on the NBA playoffs or get down on their favorite baseball team.

The Mint Gaming Hall Kentucky Downs provides the Nashville market with its most convenient on-site betting on the Kentucky Derby card, easily reached just off Exit 121 in Tennessee and Exit 2 in Kentucky.

The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland likewise is the most convenient betting outlet for the Knoxville market and northeastern Tennessee, located in Williamsburg just off Exit 11, Interstate 75’s first Kentucky exit.

“The easiest Kentucky Derby party to throw is just meeting friends, colleagues or family at one of our conveniently located The Mint locations throughout south-central Kentucky,” said Jeff Miller, co-director of marketing for The Mint gaming properties. “The only clean-up we want you doing is at the betting windows.”

One of the leading Kentucky Derby contenders this year is $1 million Louisiana Derby winner Tiztastic, who won two turf races at Kentucky Downs last fall. Tiztastic is co-owned by Kentucky Downs’ co-managing partner Ron Winchell and the Coolmore international breeding and racing operation. Tiztastic, trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, earned his first victory in a $250,000 allowance race at Kentucky Downs for horses offered at Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale the prior year. He came back 10 days later to win the $1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile.

Pick Your Derby horse to win free-play prizes

Mint Rewards Club members can earn up to $1,000 in free play with The Mint’s Derby Day drawings at The Mint Kentucky Downs, The Mint Bowling Green and The Mint Cumberland in Williamsburg.

Club members can get a free slip from the Mint Rewards kiosk starting at 9 a.m. local time, then put that slip into the drum signifying their Derby choice. There will be three drawings apiece from those selecting the Derby’s win, place and show horses for free-play prizes.

Adults 21 and over can join Mint Rewards on location to participate. While guests must get their entry slip in person, they need not be present to win.

Derby Day EGG Fest returns to The Mint Cumberland

The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland, just off Interstate 75’s Exit 11 in Williamsburg, again is teaming with W.D. Bryant Ace Hardware to stage the Derby Day Big Green EGG Fest grill-off as part of southeastern Kentucky and eastern Tennessee’s biggest Derby watch party. The event raises money for the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital, supported by the Children’s Miracle Network

The May 3 eggstravaganza will utilize Big Green Egg outdoor cooking systems provided by W.D. Bryant, the 97-year-old, fourth-generation full-line hardware and building material dealer with stores in Williamsburg, Corbin and London.

The EGG Fest provides cooks the opportunity to show off their grilling skills and attendees the chance to eat very well. The Egg, charcoal, tents and serving supplies will be provided. Cooks can either use sponsored food or provide their own, which will be tax deductible as a charitable donation.

The cook-off winner will take home a Big Green Egg, the highest-end ceramic outdoor cooker. Other utilized Eggs will be sold at a 20-percent discount after the event. Grilling begins at 8 a.m. ET for cooks opting to prepare breakfast food but will start in earnest at 11 a.m. and run until about 4 p.m.

There is no entry charge to be a cook, but advance registration is required. Go to EGGFest 2025 | wdbryant for more information and to register to participate.

The Mint Williamsburg’s outdoors activities on Derby Day will include a corn-hole tournament and live music and entertainment during the cook-off and into the evening.

Mutuel clerks will be stationed on the patio for adult guests to place bets on the racing at Churchill Downs and elsewhere. The outdoor festivities and the Backyard Grill are open to all ages, while the gaming floor is restricted to those at least 21 years old.

“The Mint Cumberland is unique in that we’re equipped to accommodate all ages and families,” said Jim Mahnesmith, vice president and general manager of The Mint Cumberland, The Mint Cumberland Run and The Mint Bowling Green. “We got a fast start last year teaming with W.D. Bryant for our inaugural Big Green EGG Fest and are looking forward to it becoming a Derby Day tradition for southeastern Kentucky and northeastern Tennessee. Everyone had a great time, and the participating teams produced amazing grilling that can only be described as eggceptional.”

Mower Maynia returns at Franklin, Bowling Green & Williamsburg

Mower Maynia, the popular May giveaway, returns to The Mint Gaming in Franklin, Bowling Green and Williamsburg. Mint Rewards members can earn entries for drawings for John Deere lawn equipment from Wright Implement and Meade Tractor. Every 10 points guests earn starting May 1 will create one entry, with drawings held Fridays in May at 7, 8 and 9 p.m. local time. Guests can win weed eaters, blowers, electric mowers or a Zero Turn lawn mower.

Patterned after Mower Maynia with entries based on point earnings, the last four Saturdays in May feature Designer Dreams drawings for designer purses at The Mint’s Franklin, Bowling Green and Williamsburg locations. The drawings will be at 7 and 9 p.m. local time, with purses valued at up to $1,500.

Coming up at The Mint Event Center in Franklin

Kick off your Derby Week by enjoying the hits and wit of singer-songwriter Aaron Tippin, the self-proclaimed “luckiest hillbilly that has ever lived,” at The Mint Event Center in Franklin on Saturday, April 26. Tippin has been struck by lightning twice, piloted planes with engine failure and, which he considers even more miraculous, survived more than three decades in the music business. His 30 singles include such hits as “You’ve Got to Stand for Something,” “My Blue Angel,” “I Wouldn’t Have it Any Other Way,” “Kiss This,” “Workin’ Man’s Ph. D,” “There Ain’t Nothing Wrong with the Radio” and “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly.” Buy Aaron Tippin tickets here.

John Conlee takes The Mint Event Center stage on Saturday, May 17, bringing his top hits such as “Rose Colored Glasses,” “Backside of Thirty” and “Common Man.” Buy John Conlee tickets here.

Gary Mule Deer brings his unique and award-winning combination of comedy and classic country to The Mint Event Center on Saturday, June 7. He’s a member of both the Grand Ole Opry and the Comedy Hall of Fame (inducted last year). Buy Gary Mule Deer tickets here.