Underdog Rising: The Race, the Ritual, and the Scent of Derby Day
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The Kentucky Derby has been run every year since 1875: 150 years of thundering hooves, roses, and the kind of drama that only Churchill Downs can produce. It's the oldest continuously held major sporting event in the United States, and it lasts exactly two minutes — two minutes that can rewrite history.
What makes the Derby unlike any other race is its lore of the underdog. Donerail won in 1913 at 91-to-1 odds, still the longest shot ever to win. Mine That Bird came from dead last in 2009 to win by nearly seven lengths. Giacomo, a 50-to-1 long-shot, crossed the finish line in 2005 while the crowd stood in stunned silence. The Derby was built on the underdog story.
The Ritual of Derby Day
Derby Day is as much about the experience as the race itself: the elaborate hats, the mint juleps sweating in silver cups, and the Derby pie: that rich, indulgent chocolate and walnut tart that's been a Louisville tradition for decades. It's a day that asks you to dress up, slow down, and believe that anything can happen in two minutes.
Louisville knows how to celebrate: it knows how to honor the ones who keep going when the odds say stop.
The Most American Story There Is
The underdog story isn't just a racing story, it's the most American story there is: the belief that where you start doesn't determine where you finish, that tenacity matters more than pedigree, and that with enough heart and enough grit, you can bend the odds, too. We know it's a myth more frequently than it's true. We believe it anyway. That stubborn, hopeful, reach towards distant horizons, towards amber waves: hoping to bend light that turns wheat into dreams...that is the American character. And every Derby Day, for two minutes, it feels absolutely real for us all.
Underdog Rising
Notes: Rich chocolate, fresh mint & creamy vanilla
Scent Profile: Sweet // Indulgent // Hopeful
We created Underdog Rising as a tribute to Derby Day's most enduring tradition: not the favorites, but the ones who weren't supposed to win. Rich chocolate and creamy vanilla capture the indulgence of Derby pie and the sweetness of an unexpected victory. Fresh mint is the julep in your hand, the cool breath before the gates open.
It's soft and subtle, a scent that unfolds quietly, the way a great story does. Hand-poured in our custom blend of coconut, soybean, and apricot waxes. Clean-burning cotton wicks. No phthalates, no parabens. Available in our vintage Glow Jar or the rugged Infinity Tin upon request. Up to 60 hours of burn time.
Derby Day Giving: The Healing Center of Martin County (HCMC)
This Derby Day, we’re putting our belief in underdogs into action:
From May 1–3, 15% of every purchase made with code HATSANDHEELS will be donated directly to HCMC, an organization that serves individuals and families working to rebuild their mental and spiritual lives. Marina Made It is proud to be a sponsor of the Hats & Heels for Healing event, and this is our way of making every candle purchased during Derby weekend mean something more.
Because...the underdog spirit isn’t just a racing story, it’s the story of anyone who keeps going when the odds are stacked against them.
Light a candle. Cheer for the long-shot. Give back.
