HOT CHOCOLATE: Mint juleps and chocolate? Why not? In addition to thoroughbreds, big hats, seersuckers and the proverbial mint juleps, a sweet piece of St. Louis will show up this weekend at the 135th Kentucky Derby.

Local, award-winning chocolatier — Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company — was selected to provide its most popular item, the 2 Lb. Special, to celebrity VIPs attending the big race. Some of the top names who will get the yummy goodies include Michael Jordan, Taylor Hicks, Prince Albert of Monaco, Star Jones, Dewayne Wade, Vince Young and Warrick Dunn … to name a few.

The number of camera-conscious, weight-watchers who will actually eat them, well, who knows. Maybe like all good occasions, the chocolates don’t have any calories when they’re being eaten at the Derby.

Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate was founded by Dan Abel Sr. in 1981 after he spent more than a decade training with some of the finest chocolatiers in the world. The company prides itself on selling fresh, rich chocolates made in small batches the same day they are purchased. Headquarters are in south St. Louis, next door to another sweet institution: Ted Drewes.