Bodog Beat

You don't have to wear a stupid hat like this at your Kentucky Derby party, but we recommend it. (AP Images)

Here’s Bodog Beat’s take on the how you might want to go about throwing your very own Kentucky Derby party.

Prior to the Race

You should serve plenty of drinks (Mint Julep recipe here) and go easy on the food. People tend to curb their drinking levels (and consequently their fun levels) if they eat too much.

It’s okay to keep your guests a little hungry. People like your Aunt Lisa might joke about being starved but that’s okay. Secretly she’ll be thankful that you haven’t provided her with more ammunition for her mission to kill herself with food. Here Lisa, have a diet rum and coke on us.

We also recommend that you arrange for some exciting horse-related games.

Ride the Stranger is particularly fun. Although our lawyers would like us to mention that we don’t recommend it. (But we secretly do).

You’ll also want to get your Kentucky Derby odds and then make your bets.

After the Race

Now you can bring out the food. Since everyone will be good and juiced up by this point you can expect it to get pretty messy so we have two recommendations here:

1) Use paper plates

2) Don’t get between Aunt Lisa and the nachos

It’s almost here so don’t delay. Do all your Kentucky Derby betting at Bodog.