554 roses make up the garland, plus an additional "crown" rose at the center. An article describing the garland and it's history: http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2008/experience/garland-roses.html adi
The tradition of presenting 554 roses to the winner of the Kentucky Derby stems from the event's official flower, the rose. The number 554 is symbolic, as it represents the number of roses typically used to create a blanket draped over the winning horse, known as the "winner's blanket." This floral display celebrates the victory and adds a beautiful visual element to the prestigious race. The roses are often red, signifying passion and triumph.
Because the winner of the race gets a blanket of roses, which is very well known and connected with the race. The winner of the Preakness gets a blanket of black-eyed susans (actually yellow daisies with their centers dyed brown, as black-eyed susans are not in season at that point in the year) and the winner of the Belmont gets a blanket of white carnations.
There was no rose garland for the Kentucky Derby in 1869. The first Kentucky Derby wasn't run until 1875. The rose garland didn't become part of Kentucky Derby tradition until 1896.
Run for the Roses.
since it has the picture of Aristides the 1st Kentucky Derby winner and 95th Run for the roses and nice gold trim I would not sell mine for $100.00.
The Run for the Roses
In the Derby, it is a blanket of roses.
When he won the Florida Derby, and they put the flowers on him, he freaked out. His trainer didn't want to risk that happening again at the much larger and more popular Kentucky Derby.
Roses
They use carnations in colors of red and white, the Saratoga Race Track's colors. Carnations are chosen because they last long and hold up well and carnations are used on the Belmont blanket. The blanket is made the day before the race, coordinated by one person, florist, Susan Laing, who is assisted by dozens of volunteers. She started the floral blanket in 1993 because she felt that the oldest stakes race in North America deserved a floral blanket to adorn the winner.
Run for the Roses The Kentucky Derby and the Business of Horse Racing - 2009 TV was released on: USA: 30 April 2009
The Kentucky Derby Churchill Downs race, consists of horse race that ends at 8,000 running miles. The miles are calculated as the horses run, and are added together until the total is reached. At that point, the horse that has run the most distance is declared the winner, and awarded the blanket of roses, and a gold horseshoe.