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Why wearing green or carrying $50 bills is bad luck at the Kentucky Derby
TL;DR
Wearing green or carrying $50 bills is considered bad luck at the Kentucky Derby. This superstition particularly applies to horse owners and trainers on race day.
Key points
- Wearing green is frowned upon at the Kentucky Derby.
- The superstition mainly affects horse owners and trainers.
- Carrying $50 bills is also considered bad luck.
- These beliefs are part of long-held traditions.
Why wearing green or carrying $50 bills is bad luck at the Kentucky Derby
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trackgoers deal with rain, at Churchill Downs on Oaks Day, one day before the 151th running of The Kentucky Derby. Friday, May 2, 2025
Trackgoers deal with rain, at Churchill Downs on Oaks Day, one day before the 151th running of The Kentucky Derby. Friday, May 2, 2025
Dee Dee Luxe of New York New York, walks through the paddock at Churchill Down with her French Bulldog "Barla' Friday morning.
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.
A couple gathers in front of the Twin Spires at the Oaks at Churchill Downs in Louisville KY on May 2 2025.
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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.
1 / 7
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.
2 / 7
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.
3 / 7
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
4 / 7
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
5 / 7
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.
6 / 7
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.
7 / 7
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.
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.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby superstitions about wearing green and carrying $50 bills
Q&A
Why is wearing green considered bad luck at the Kentucky Derby?
Wearing green is believed to bring bad luck due to a long-held superstition, especially for horse owners and trainers.
What color should I avoid wearing at the Kentucky Derby?
You should avoid wearing green at the Kentucky Derby, as it is traditionally frowned upon.
Is carrying $50 bills unlucky at the Kentucky Derby?
Yes, carrying $50 bills is also considered bad luck at the Kentucky Derby, in line with the superstition surrounding the color green.
What superstitions are associated with the Kentucky Derby?
Common superstitions at the Kentucky Derby include avoiding the color green and carrying specific denominations of money, like $50 bills.
