Is it bad luck to wear green or carry $50 at the Kentucky Derby?
You’ll be swimming in a sea of bright colors during Kentucky Derby Week at Churchill Downs, but there’s one color you might steer clear of when selecting your outfit. The only color typically frowned upon is green, but only for horse owners or trainers.
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Why? Despite being the color of money, there’s a long-held superstition that wearing green supposedly brings bad luck on race day.
Also, many people who bet on the races think it’s bad luck to carry a $50 bill.
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Kentucky Oaks 2025 features sights, sounds and fashion at Churchill Downs
Linda and Tony Rodriguez kiss while taking shelter during a weather delay Friday, May 2, 2025, during a severe weather delay ahead of the 151st running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
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Kentucky Oaks 2025 features sights, sounds and fashion at Churchill Downs
Linda and Tony Rodriguez kiss while taking shelter during a weather delay Friday, May 2, 2025, during a severe weather delay ahead of the 151st running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
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Kentucky Oaks 2025 features sights, sounds and fashion at Churchill Downs
A woman tries to use a jacket to stay dry as a rain storm falls on Oaks Day late in the afternoon at Churchill Downs May 2, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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Kentucky Oaks 2025 features sights, sounds and fashion at Churchill Downs
Trackgoers deal with rain, at Churchill Downs on Oaks Day, one day before the 151th running of The Kentucky Derby. Friday, May 2, 2025
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Kentucky Oaks 2025 features sights, sounds and fashion at Churchill Downs
Trackgoers deal with rain, at Churchill Downs on Oaks Day, one day before the 151th running of The Kentucky Derby. Friday, May 2, 2025
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Kentucky Oaks 2025 features sights, sounds and fashion at Churchill Downs
Dee Dee Luxe of New York New York, walks through the paddock at Churchill Down with her French Bulldog “Barla’ Friday morning.
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Kentucky Oaks 2025 features sights, sounds and fashion at Churchill Downs
Jeff Ketterman of Corydon, Indiana wore heart in the font style of the 1950s sitcom “I Love Lucy” with “I Love Lueyville” on his hat while attending Oaks Day with his wife Carrie at Churchill Downs May 2, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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Kentucky Oaks 2025 features sights, sounds and fashion at Churchill Downs
A couple gathers in front of the Twin Spires at the Oaks at Churchill Downs in Louisville KY on May 2 2025.
More ‘What’s With That:’ What is the Kentucky Derby Winner’s Circle at Churchill Downs?
“I’ve always heard that bringing a $50 bill, or even touching one, having one around you, is bad luck, so you’ll never see a $50 bill here at Churchill Downs, at least not coming through the mutuel windows and especially from a lot of the gamblers,” said Kevin Kerstein, publicity manager at Churchill Downs.
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Learn more about some of the biggest superstitions surrounding the Kentucky Derby in this “What’s What That” video.
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.
