The Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands

If you haven’t heard, I’ll Have Another won this year’s Kentucky Derby. The perfect name for a horse in a race known for being decadent and depraved. (And apparently someone was killed.)

The Derby first ran in 1875 and today is the most famous horse race in the world. It only makes sense then that after 130 years of building the prestige of Churchill Downs they would call up the owners of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC for some extra ad dollars. If they had said, “Sure, let’s put some posters up on the infield or fill some of the commercial breaks.” Fine, I have no problem with that. But why in the world would they give away the naming rights? Is there anything more ridiculous than “The 2012 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands?” If Thompson thought it was bad back in 1970 I wonder what he would be saying today.

Just how bad is it? Yum! Brands repeats the same commercial during each break proclaiming that, “You may not know our name but you know our restaurants.” So why in the world would they get naming rights? No one even knows theirs! Besides, what does Yum! Brands even have to do with Kentucky or horse racing? At least get Lids or someone you can tie in with the crazy hats people wear every year.

I know what you’re thinking; KFC would fit if A) they still went by Kentucky Fried Chicken and B) they weren’t lumped in with the rest of Yum! Brands. It makes no sense and it’s an embarrassment. What’s next, “The Preakness Stakes presented by Unilever?” End this already.