LOUISVILLE, KY -- The sky was cloudy, the air was muggy and yet still the sun was beating down on tens of thousands of smiling faces, many of which were beaming politely under ornate, wide-brimmed hats. The 133rd Kentucky Derby roared to life recently, as always, on the first Saturday in May.

A tunnel from the infield at Churchill Downs that traveled under the grandstand led to a large section of the Kentucky Derby not seen on television as much as the racetrack and not discussed in folklore nearly as much as the infield. This section, which is heavily populated with shops, bars, betting windows and snack bars, produces possibly the most interesting mix of people within the grounds of Churchill Downs, as it is the large area through which both the infielders and those in the grandstand can mingle and, if nothing else, congregate temporarily while watching the races on large television screens.

Tucked neatly away in what seemed like a hidden corner between the paddock and an escalator entrance to the grandstand was the small yet cozy Paddock Bar, which, on Derby day was one of the three homes to the Woodford Reserve's $1,000 Mint Julep charity event. The event, which has in its two years of existence found a bit of infamy among news outlets across the country, is designed to bring lovers of thoroughbred horse racing together for an important cause and in the process, share an important piece of Derby history.

Mint juleps were served all over the 133rd Kentucky Derby for nine dollars, but in the spirit of philanthropy, Woodford Reserve and the Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) came together for this charity event, producing arguably the most unique souvenir the Kentucky Derby could offer. The one hundred-thirty two gold plated cups up for sale and auction were each engraved with the name of a different horse who won the Kentucky Derby.

Louisville native Mark Rimes, for one, was very happy to be going home with the cup of 1965 Kentucky Derby champion Lucky Debonair. Rimes chose the 1965 cup because it was the year he was born, a practice representatives who oversaw the bidding suggested was one of the most common reasons people bid the way they did. As a lifelong racing fan and a retired firefighter, the $1,000 Mint Julep caught his eye not only because the cup would be what he considered the ultimate item for his collection, but also because he saw the merit in "we spend our life helping people, [this is] a good way to connect the whole thing together."

Chris Morris, Woodford Reserve's Master Distiller, was on hand to discuss the charity, the day's events and the reasons for choosing the mint julep. Morris stated that the mint julep "really epitomizes the history and culture of bourbon whisky, thoroughbred racing and hospitality." Each $1,000 mint julep, which contained Woodford Reserve bourbon, ice from the Bavarian Alps, Irish mint leaves and sugar from Australia, was created with a great deal of care, time, and devotion, in Morris' words. With a small but clearly visible smile and speaking with an air in his words showing off not only his absolute love of what he does but a soulful love of the Kentucky Derby, Morris explained, "The mint julep is the most genteel, sophisticated and yet casual drink in history, and to have it associated here with a charity is fabulous."

The second year of this event brought a number of changes from its original appearance at the 132nd Kentucky Derby. For one, the number of cups increased from fifty to one hundred thirty two, each one corresponding to a different year's Derby winner. "We really had no idea what the reception would be," Morris recalled of the previous year's event. "We decided to give fifty a try and it was so overwhelmingly received we felt we could do more."

Just like in 2006, the second year of the $1,000 Mint Julep event still directed all of its proceeds to the TCA, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising money for a number of thoroughbred racing related causes. The TCA's proceeds fund over one hundred fifty organizations with causes such as horse-related medical research, education of the topic and other programs related to both forcibly and naturally retired horses and jockeys. This particular cause was very dear to two of the donors who met with NBC.com the afternoon of the Kentucky Derby.

The TCA "is the only reason we did this," according to racing enthusiast Jenna Vaughn, who with Andrew Yaffe, purchased the cup of 1887 Kentucky Derby winner Montrose. The pair were very active in the caring of injured horses, having recently purchased a racehorse whose last few races had been plagued with injury. As an alternative to putting the horse down, Yaffe and Vaughn bought the horse and plan to use him for breeding. While in Yaffe's words, they "eliminated the middle man," with the case of their recent acquisition, they care a great deal not only about the sport but that the TCA and Woodford Reserve's charity event at the foremost horse racing event of the year.

While at the Paddock Bar, Vaughn addressed the fact that the mint julep event was not about sheer extravagance, but it was focused on charitable causes stressing several issues at the center of the sport. Vaughn and other racing enthusiasts at the event felt that people must realize races like the Kentucky Derby aren't simply about betting and making or losing money. Promoting causes such as ensuring the safety of jockeys and horses, in addition to improving the lives of retired horses and jockeys are among the central goals of the TCA. With educating the public as another central focus of the TCA, Jenna Vaughn agreed, suggesting it can be difficult for just anyone to know the extent of the problems faced in thoroughbred racing each and every day. "If they aren't in the business then they don't talk to the jockeys, they don't see the horses, or the good and bad times," Vaughn said.

While there were two other designated pick-up zones specifically located in the grandstand, the vast majority of the cups were picked up at the Paddock Bar, according to organizers. Between the hectic bustle of the infield and the roar of the applause from the grandstand was a small bar making big news for some of the truest fans of racing.

For more information about the TCA, please visit their Web site: http://www.thoroughbredcharities.org/